Three named finalists for Teacher of the Year
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on August 22, 2012 1:46 PM
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Three finalists for Wayne County Public Schools' Teacher of the Year have been announced, with the district-wide winner to be named at a banquet on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Goldsboro Country Club.
In the spring, each of the 31 public schools in the county named its own individual Teacher of the Year.
The pool was narrowed down to representatives from the elementary, middle and high school levels.
The finalists are Glenda Crocker, a first grade teacher at Grantham School; Sandra Brannan, a Norwayne Middle School language arts teacher; and Michael Jones, a social studies teacher at Spring Creek High School.
The Teacher of the Year program is part of a national effort that has been in place for more than 50 years.
The district winner will go on to compete in a regional competition, followed by state and national versions.
Since 1970, North Carolina has participated in the program that recognizes the state's most outstanding educators.
Principals of the latest finalists said they are "outstanding candidates" and each possesses the characteristics and qualifications to represent their peers and colleagues in the profession.
"Each year, over 90 percent of Mrs. Crocker's students reach and/or exceed their potential due to her instructional approach," said Lisa Tart, Grantham School principal. "She genuinely loves children and is passionate about her work."
Mrs. Crocker has 30 years of teaching experience, 16 of them at Grantham.
For five of her 15 years as an educator, Ms. Brannan has been at Norwayne.
"Ms. Brannan is a highly ambitious educator who has aligned her teaching style to 21st Century standards," said her principal, Mario Re. "She has incorporated technology and interactive differentiated lessons into her daily teaching repertoire, as well as sets high expectations for herself and her students."
Jones has been at Spring Creek for the past two years and eight total in the profession.
"Mr. Jones challenges his students and shows an extraordinary knowledge of his subject area," said Stephen Clingan, principal. "He makes his students responsible for learning, often employing research and group projects which force students to collaborate, organize, create and critique their products."
The Teacher of the Year will win a $5,000 travel/study stipend, a $1,500 check, and compete in the regional competition.
The other two finalists will receive a $4,000 travel/study stipend.