Spruce Elementary teacher Jennie Gonzales has been named Alderwood-Terrace December Educator of the Month.

Gonzales teaches fourth grade at Spruce Elementary.

“She has an exceptional ability to motivate and nurture students to do their best work,” Principal Katy Kayler wrote in nominating her for the award, “even when the work is challenging and even when the student feels too far behind to try.”

“When a student struggles, she takes extra time to carefully analyze the student’s learning needs and provides extra support to ensure that the student is successful,” Kayler wrote.