Belfast's Gibson selected as Beginning Teacher of the Year
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 13, 2007 2:00 AM
Angela Gibson, a math teacher at Belfast Academy, was named the 2007 Beginning Teacher of the Year for Wayne County Public Schools during ceremonies Friday at H.V. Brown Center.
It is the fourth year for the recognition, presented to educators who have been with the school system less than three years.
Administrators chose Mrs. Gibson from a pool of 31 individual winners chosen to represent each of the public schools. Criteria is based on instructional skills, interaction with students, relationship with colleagues, parents and the community, and their contribution to the school.
"Anyone who has visited Mrs. Gibson's classroom would agree that she has a passion for teaching and a drive to see her students excel and succeed," said Debbie Durham, human resource services lead teacher.
In Mrs. Gibson's brief time in the school system --she taught at Grantham for two years before joining Belfast this year-- she has already made impressions that will last a lifetime, Mrs. Durham said.
Theresa Cox, principal at Belfast, called her nominee a God-send for the school.
"She immediately gained a positive rapport with her students," she said. "It is a rare occurrence to have a referral from her classes ... mostly due to the relationships that she builds with her students. Students want to attend Mrs. Gibson's class and they want to learn math."
After each nominee was recognized, officials named finalists from the elementary, middle and high school levels. Ms. Gibson was the Beginning Teacher of the Year for the high school level.
Kelly Johnson, a fifth grade math and science teacher at Goldsboro Intermediate School for the past three years, was the representative for the elementary level.
Skylar Hardy, a sixth grade language arts teacher in her third year at Spring Creek High, was named finalist for the middle schools.
After Mrs. Gibson received a laptop computer, engraved crystal, a bouquet of roses and a stipend check, she expressed her appreciation for the honor.
"The Wayne County Public School system could not be any more supportive in my career than they have been," she said. "They have provided every single thing that I have needed -- advice, equipment, support. I'm just so proud to be...representing Belfast and representing Wayne County Public Schools."
Other nominees and their respective schools include: Summer Davis, Brogden Middle; Jessica Shoneck, Brogden Primary; Kristi Martin, Carver Elementary; Felicia Best, Carver Heights Elementary; Kelli Hamm, Charles B. Aycock High; Earl Brown, Jr., Dillard Middle; Brittney Lane, Eastern Wayne Elementary; Emily Westbrook, Eastern Wayne High; Jessica Gray, Eastern Wayne Middle; Melissa Carrasquillo, Edgewood School; Tracy Owens, Fremont STARS; Alyson Darconte, Goldsboro High; Jaime Cox, Grantham; Melissa Eason, Greenwood Middle; Terry Fenwick, Meadow Lane Elementary; Ashley Slater, Mount Olive Middle; Shannon Goebeler, North Drive Elementary; Valerie Ruhl, Northeast Elementary; Sherry Taylor, Northwest Elementary; Carie Reese, Norwayne Middle; Elizabeth Stackhouse, Rosewood Elementary; JoAnn Bryan, Rosewood High; Charles Bowden, Rosewood Middle; Patricia Ellison, School Street Elementary; Holly King, Southern Wayne High; Kimberly Lafave, Spring Creek Elementary; Daphanie Daniels, Tommy's Road Elementary; and Elizabeth Cronk, Wayne Early/Middle College High.