FORT WAYNE – Michelle White was in the midst of giving a quiz Friday when Fort Wayne Community Schools Superintendent Wendy Robinson and an entourage of administrators made a surprise visit to her classroom.

“Boys and girls, do you realize you’re in the presence of royalty today?” Robinson asked the confused seventh-graders.

As White’s face reddened, Robinson told the students that their teacher was the 2010-11 FWCS teacher of the year.

“Go, Mrs. White!” one student yelled as administrators handed White a bouquet of flowers.

White, a seventh-grade language arts teacher at Northwood Middle School, bested about 20 other teacher nominees for the annual honor. Officials said she was chosen because of the connections she forges with students and her ability to create a sense of community in the classroom.

“Everything she does is for the kids,” Northwood Principal Adam Swinford said. “And they realize that. If she said to run through a wall, they would because she connects with them that much.”

District officials said White’s after-school efforts also played a role in her selection.

Every other week, she leads a student group called Sisterhood in the Wood Council, an extracurricular group made up of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade girls. As part of the program, guest speakers talk with students about career opportunities, leadership and issues they might face. Girls also have a chance to take part in community service.

White has also been the academic team coordinator for Northwood; worked with Spell Bowl teams; and consulted for the Appleseed Writing Project, a branch of the National Writing Project.

Classroom management and building relationships are key to successful teaching, said White, who has been teaching for six years.

“Relating to them and treating them well, that’s the big thing,” she said.

White was nominated for the honor last year by Swinford. She filled out an application, interviewed with administrators and was told she won the award this summer.

“I was very excited,” she said. “I called my family.”

The three other finalists for the award will be recognized at the next school board meeting Sept. 13.

Robinson said it was clear that White was in control of her classroom because at 8 a.m. Friday, just after school had started, students were already focused and aware of what to do. White has skills you can’t teach, like poise and confidence, she said.

“It’s obvious she enjoys what she does,” Robinson said. “She’s got a high energy level.”

Student Caisey Stroh, 12, said it made sense that her teacher had won the honor.

“She’s really cool and nice,” she said. “She doesn’t yell and get mad all the time. She’s a great teacher.”

dhaynie@jg.net