Class of Her Own | Buchtel CLC's Turick named Teacher of the Year

A year ago, Shannon Turick was honored as the recipient of the Changemaker in Public Education Award. It's and award reflective of her commitment to student advocacy, solidarity and her willingness to advance public school education.

This year, the Buchtel CLC educator took a step forward. Again, her dedication to both her school and students have earned Turick the respect and adoration of her peers.

With fellow Akron Education Association members rising to applaud her efforts at Guy’s Party Center on May 14, Turick walked confidently toward the stage to accept another prestigious honor – AEA Teacher of the Year.

Turick, who teaches 10th- and 11th-grade Language Arts and English, was chosen among a crowded field of impressive candidates. There were 43 Building Teacher of the Year awards presented during the 2026 AEA Teacher of the Year Awards and Banquet event. 

Turick, who has spent the past 10 years at Buchtel, walked with plenty of hardware. She was also one of eight teachers honored with the Shining Apple Award. 

Still, Turick told an appreciative audience that she hadn’t anticipated winning, but she wrote a speech just in case.

“It is important to always be prepared,” she began. “So there are some people I want to thank who have been pivotal in my success as an educator. I want to thank my parents, because without them, I wouldn't be standing here today.”

Turick thanked her family, too. She credits husband, John, and her three daughters with helping keep her grounded.

“Over the years, they’ve listened to all my stories, attended school events, and helped me come up with new ideas,” Turick said. “They lift me up on the good days and the bad. I'm a better teacher because of them. 

“I have worked with so many amazing teachers, secretaries, custodians, counselors, and staff over the years. I appreciate all of you for helping me grow as an educator.

“Lastly, I want to thank the thousands of students I've been privileged to teach these past 24 years. They taught me so much about love, empathy, patience, and resilience. Being a teacher has allowed me to constantly be entertained, challenged, and fulfilled. I feel incredibly honored to do this work every day, and I'm deeply honored to receive this award from AEA and my colleagues.”

Turick’s journey as a teacher began with charter schools. She transitioned to public schools a decade later. 

“There's never a dull day teaching high school,” she said. “I feel like it's my purpose in life (to teach public school students). 

“I'm so fulfilled every day, and I love my students. I’m a huge advocate for Buchtel students. I want to keep doing creative, innovative projects with my students.”

Turick played a significant role in acquiring funding from the GAR Foundation to initiate a reading program called the Love for Literacy.  It’s a grant the school has received the past three years for a total of $25,000. 

“I do silent reading with my students, and then we paint artwork at the end of the year to represent the books they've read in class,” she said. 

The students then wrote about the books they read and their writings were published. The published book is entitled: (Voices of Buchtel: In Our Own Words) and a copy can be purchased on Amazon. The proceeds of the sales will go into a scholarship fund for Buchtel graduates.

Her commitment to teaching strengthened when she met a homeless student the first day on the job. At that moment, teaching became more than books and lectures.

“It should always be about the students,” she said. “I knew from that day I wanted to become a teacher, and that I could make a difference.”

“I can't teach them anything unless they know that I care about them.  When I went to college, I never had a clue I wanted to be a teacher. I was pretty directionless.”

Turick earned an English degree at Ohio State University. Admittedly, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do post graduation, but a door was open at a charter school, Lifeskills Academy in Akron.

Turick, finishing her 24th year in the classroom, taught at-risk students the first 13 years of her career.

“I never imagined myself being in the classroom until I found that (charter school) job,” said Turick, who also taught at Canton Harbor High School. “Then I wanted to reach out and start looking for public school jobs.”

Turick applied for a position at Canton McKinley before accepting the position with APS. “I knew I wanted to work in an urban district. That's just my niche,” she said confidently.

Turick earned two teaching licenses – including intervention specialist. However, teaching English is what she aspired to do more than anything.

“I love being creative, making creative lesson plans, and engaging students. My favorite thing to teach is Macbeth,” said Turick, a North Canton Hoover graduate who earned a Language Arts degree from Mount Union.

“I love to reenact scenes with students and just do things in different ways. I love to incorporate their strengths and talents into all my lessons.”

Pat Shipe, president of the AEA, served as the keynote speaker. She focused mainly on the myriad of challenges facing both students and teachers.

“In classrooms across the city, you are doing transformative work,” Shipe said.  “You’re meeting students where they are and helping them see where they can go. You are building relationships that change lives.

“And you are creating spaces where students feel seen, valued, and capable of greatness. We must also speak truth about the reality, which our students carry with them each day. Many of the children who walk through our doors come from communities that have been marginalized for far too long.

“These challenges do not stay outside the school walls,” she added. “They sit in our classrooms, they show up in our hallways and cafeterias. They live in the hearts and minds of our students and their families.’

Shipe was joined on stage by APS Superintendent Mary Outley, Ohio representatives Veronica Sims and Derrick Hall. Also, several school board members, including board president Barbara Sykes.

In addition to the Teacher of the Year, several other teachers received recognition for their dedication to Akron Public Schools:

AEA Changemaker in Public Education Award – Lon Cseplo, Buchtel CLC
AEA Student Advocate Award – Dan Richards, Garfield CLC 
AEA Educator Advocate Award – Kathleen Durkin, Lead Consulting Teacher, Peer Assistance Review Program.