Board honors MODEL teachers
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 6, 2015 1:46 PM
Forty-two employees in Wayne County Public Schools have been named MODEL Educators and were recognized earlier this week by the Board of Education.
MODEL, an acronym that embodies five areas -- master educator, obligation to a respectful learning environment, demonstrates leadership, effective instructor and lifelong learner -- was introduced in the fall of 2011 as an added way of recognizing exemplary educators.
Recipients include classroom teachers, media coordinators and school counselors who go above and beyond to enhance the quality of education for students, officials said.
Board member Jennifer Strickland announced this year's recipient at the May board meeting and explained the nomination process.
"Employees who regularly demonstrate these characteristics and educational practices can apply themselves or be nominated by their peers to become a MODEL Educator," she said. "Letters of support must be provided by a peer and administrator endorsing that the criteria of a MODEL Educator is consistently demonstrated in the classroom."
Three review teams -- one each for elementary, middle and high schools -- assess all applications, nominations and artifacts. Each team consists of principals, assistant principals and central office directors.
The following are recipients of this year's honor.
Brogden Primary: Toni McCance, Deborah Parrott, Star Shaffer and Lesley Whitman
Charles B. Aycock High: Amanda Barnes, Crystal Casey, Mary Sue Caplinger, Charles Davis, Susan Edwards, Rebecca Hare, Jill Howell, Beyanka Lewis and Keith Woodard
Dillard Middle: Amy Clark, Robert Grant, Mabel Lamprea and Teressa Smith
Eastern Wayne Middle: Michael Judy and Michelle Valenzuela
Fremont STARS Elementary: Kasey Ezzell
Goldsboro High: Patricia Velasco
Greenwood Middle: Jennifer Kirkland and Maria Ramirez-Olmo
Mount Olive Middle: Tondalaya Clark and Jennifer Harper
North Drive Elementary: Shauna Skinner, Nicki Thigpen and Chaundler Vaughn
Norwayne Middle: Andrea Malpass, Dan Millard and Dorie Turnage
Rosewood Middle: Dina Uzzell
School Street Elementary: Tammy Artis
Spring Creek Elementary: Robin DeVeaux, Linda Galloway, Crystal Jones, Morgan Jones, Gale Lewis, Monique Thomas and Debbie Turner
Wayne Middle/High Academy: Anita Phillips and Alesia Wooten.