Heidi Lewis 2024 Elizabeth Kelley Exemplary Teacher of the Year

The Elizabeth Kelley Exemplary Teacher Award annually highlights a faculty member who goes beyond the basic job description of being a teacher at Bellarmine. The award winner must exemplify the Jesuit ideals in his/her life and teaching, exhibit quality instruction in the classroom, a mastery of his/her subject area, and contribute to bettering the Bellarmine community. 

Here are a few quotes and highlights from the speech delivered about Ms. Lewis at the Academic Awards Ceremony on May 21.

“(Ms. Lewis) treats students with grace, love and compassion. It doesn’t feel like a teacher-dominating-student relationship. Rather it feels like they value us, care for us, and respect us.” 

"(Ms. Lewis) goes above and beyond to ensure the success of her students, and meets them where they are as learners. "

"She strikes the perfect balance between understanding and pushing for greatness in all students. Mrs. Lewis uses real life scenarios, theory, group projects, and other strategies to bring out curiosity and inspire exploration into mathematical concepts.”

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Lewis has served the Bellarmine community in countless roles, including as a coach, Student Activities Board moderator, on numerous retreats and on the Faculty Senate. She is always all in for student spirit and dress up days. 

The Bellarmine community sees the extraordinary effort and enthusiasm she gives. 

It was shared by a student that, “Mrs. Lewis deserves this award because she works so hard for all of her classes, manages being a new mother on top of it, and she does it all with a smile on her face.”