Isabella on Ms. Dawn Stratton (aka Dôna Louise) – Tumwater, Washington
Runner Up
Today my teacher shaved her head. Nobody was surprised. After seven years, it would take a lot more than that to surprise Dawn Stratton’s 7th grade students. I attend the Olympia Waldorf School, where the teachers follow their students from 1st through 8th grade. When Dôna Louise, as she asked to be called, came in 1st grade I did not realize just how unique and even heroic she would turn out to be.
Dôna Louise likes to take wrong freeway exits just to see where they take her, and she wears Indian clothing everyday.
She is more than just an eccentric Waldorf teacher, though. Every Saturday she volunteers for a program that gives things like socks and blanket to homeless people. She rides around downtown Olympia on her bike no matter what the weather is like, handing out these things to people who live on sidewalks and doorways. Recently, Dôna Louise bought a used city bus for our class to go on field trips in because our school cannot afford buses. My teacher is wholeheartedly dedicated to making this world better. That is what Super Heroes do.