Teacher of the Year to be named Thursday
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on August 24, 2011 1:46 PM
Three finalists have been announced for the Wayne County Public Schools' Teacher of the Year, who will be named during a banquet Thursday evening at Walnut Creek Country Club.
Finalists at the elementary, middle and high school levels are Sherry Duke from Eastern Wayne Elementary, Wendy Thomas from Greenwood Middle and Jennifer Tyndall from Spring Creek High.
The district's Teacher of the Year recognition, part of the national program, has been in place for more than 50 years. The honoree goes on to compete at the regional level and then the state before moving on to the national contest.
Administrators say the annual pool represents the best and brightest in the school system.
"Mrs. Duke makes the instruction of academics come alive for her students and motivates them to be excited learners," said Kelly Langston, EWE principal. "She is always willing to do what is asked and goes above and beyond to show her support for her school and community."
Mrs. Duke, a first-grade teacher at the school, has 19 years of experience in the profession, six at her current school.
Mrs. Thomas, an exceptional children's teacher of grades five through eighth, has spent six of her eight years in education at Greenwood.
"In addition to loving, nurturing and protecting her students, Mrs. Thomas works tirelessly to help each student reach their full potential," said her principal, Rolanda Best. "She has a heart for children with disabilities that is unmatched. She protects and supports each one while conveying the expectation that each child will reach his or her full potential."
Mrs. Tyndall is a business teacher at Spring Creek, where she has spent all five of her years in teaching grades ninth through twelfth.
Principal Stephen Clingan said, "Mrs. Tyndall is an excellent example of a CTE (Career and Technical Education) teacher making the CTE curriculum relevant to students. "She develops relationships, teaches a rigorous curriculum and gives students those skills necessary to compete in a 21st century workforce."
At this week's recognition, recipient of the Teacher of the Year will win a $5,000 travel/study stipend, a $1,500 check and the chance to advance in the regional competition. The other two finalists will receive a $4,000 travel/study stipend.