District News

As she was recognized by a regional teaching organization, Lancaster Middle School English teacher Alexis McTigue said she enjoyed helping students realize opportunities in reading and writing that they may have not always appreciated.

“I want students to write about things they care about,” McTigue said. “I want students to know that they can write creatively, and that they can share in a creative way. Speeches don’t have to be scary, and acting doesn't have to be scary. They can be fun.”

McTigue received the 2026 Western New York Network of English Teachers Early Career Award during a banquet in Buffalo on May 15. In her fourth year teaching at the school, she said one key goal in her classroom is creating a feeling of community. 

“It’s about making sure the students know I care about them more than about their spelling and grammar, but as people,” she said.

Among the highlights for students in McTigue’s class are “energizers,” five minute games that get students interacting and moving. Students are encouraged to read and develop projects around books that capture their interests, with feedback and reflection time built in to help students improve their work. Beyond her work in the classroom, McTigue also advises the school’s quarterly Gazette student newspaper. McTigue was nominated for the award by fellow teacher and LMS parent Sarah Krajewski, who said McTigue’s encouragement spurred her daughter’s “growth in confidence as well as in her abilities as a writer.” 

“Miss McTigue was always there for her students; she would take time to help every individual so they felt confident and comfortable with the class content,” Krajewski said. “Miss McTigue's passion for her content and her kids turned around my daughter's 7th grade year. For that, I am forever grateful.” 

Principal Stephanie Lackie said McTigue brought a combination of “poise, energy, passion, and compassion” into her classroom each day.

“What stands out most is the care she shows not only through her engaging lessons and consistent classroom activities, but also through the relationships she builds,” Lackie said. “Parents regularly share how much they appreciate the positive notes and messages she sends home — small gestures that make a lasting difference and remind families that their children are truly seen and celebrated.”

The Western New York Network of English Teachers is a professional social network linking classroom ELA teachers, teacher educators, and school administrators with the goal of encouraging and supporting meaningful teaching of the English Language Arts in the Buffalo Niagara region.