Beth Bynarowicz
 National Board Certified Teacher, English                                            English Academic Coordinator                                                      Legacy High School, Broomfield, CO  

NSHSS is pleased to have announced its Top Ten Educators of the Year in December 2012 and is highlighting these educators throughout the year. The 2012 Claes Nobel Educators of the Year awards were presented to ten exemplary educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to preparing students for success in college and in life. These educators are among NSHSS’s student-nominated Claes Nobel Educators of Distinction program that recognizes educators who model best practices in teaching, are a positive influence for students and peers, and who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in education. Since the inception of the Educators of Distinction program in 2004, NSHSS has recognized more than 35,000 educators worldwide. 

English teacher Beth Bynarowicz received her National Board Certification in November 2012 in Adolescence and Young Adulthood and English Language Arts. She was recognized by the Colorado House of Representatives honoring the achievements of the state's new National Board Certified teachers--just over 1% of the educators in Colorado are National Board Certified. She is also certified in Gifted and Talented Education.

At Legacy, she has taught AP English Literature and Composition, World Studies Integrated Program, American Literature and Composition, Freshmen Foundations , Composition II , Journalism, Technical Writing, Legacy 2000 (math, science, technology elective program), and is an Advanced Placement English Literature Reader.

In describing her educational philosophy she states, "All students can be successful. These five words epitomize how I value students’ achievement and am confident in their abilities. Unfortunately, it is common place for high school students find themselves pigeon-holed by ideas that they’ve adopted or created about their own learning. I hear every year that 'I’m a math/science kid' or 'I’m not good at English.' My goal as an educator is to break down those pre-conceived notions and push students to define themselves in new ways. By being tenacious myself in my beliefs about their abilities, my students take risks and that is where true learning happens—a beautiful experience, which is the reason I went into this profession. Ultimately, I get to be the lucky one who witnesses this change; I get to see the 'a-ha' moment in their eyes; I get to be their teacher."

The student who nominated her to be recognized as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction wrote that "Mrs. Bynarowicz has been one of the most amazing English teachers I have ever had. Not only is she always enthusiastic about English, she always has such a positive attitude when teaching her students. She treats every student with the utmost respect and makes every class engaging. I also commend her for stepping up and accepting the challenge of teaching AP English Literature and Composition for the first time. This is definitely a lot more work for her, but she has proven her dedication to Legacy students. "