Yes, David Young has taught at Clear Creek Elementary school in Silverdale, Wash. for the last 12 years. But not only does he see himself as a teacher, Young sees himself as a student too. “I’m always learning and trying to get better at teaching,” said Young. And it’s his desire to learn, just like his students, that continues to make instruction in his classroom a success.

Young, who teaches 2nd and 3rd grade loop—“looping up” refers to students who begin their next grade level with the same teacher—says having students two years in a row means less time working on assessment at the beginning of the second year. He sees looping as an opportunity because he can “hit the ground running” with his students in the Fall.

Young describes himself as creative and hardworking, and someone who likes humor in the classroom because it’s what makes learning enjoyable for him and for his students. Young said knowing his students well makes him aware of their interests. With this information, he allows his students to take lessons in different directions. Most important, Young says, is “making sure they understand the purpose of what they are learning.”

Accordingly, Young created the Readers’ Choice Award. This program empowers students to write and publish their own stories for other students to read and vote for which one they like best. At the end of the year, the student authors with the most votes win an award for the book store. Since creation of the program six years ago, more than 1,200 books have been published.  Rather than just publishing their work, Young said the Readers Choice Award takes it a step further and “gives them a purpose to write with an authentic reason.”

Sticking to his goal of making his classroom enjoyable, Young also incorporates some of the latest technology with his lessons. He likes to make regular use of document reader cameras, so he doesn’t have to spend extra time using an overhead projector. And as the school’s building technology coordinator, he is currently working on fundraising for interactive white boards. It’s great to have technology available in the classroom so he can make a point, and everyone can see it “right at that moment,” Young said.

In addition to hitting the basketball court once a week, Young enjoys spending time doing various activities and sports with his wife and their two young children. But one thing for sure, a teacher with a sense of humor, who makes sure his students understand the purpose of what their learning, and takes action to incorporate 21st century technology in the classroom, is a great teacher. Young is one of nine teachers selected as the 2009 Regional Teachers of the year from OSPI.