Wayne County Public Schools names Teacher of the Year finalists
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 30, 2016 1:46 PM
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Three finalists have been chosen for the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year for Wayne County Public Schools, with the district winner to be announced June 1.
Each of the 33 schools had earlier named individual recipients of the distinction.
A selection committee interviewed all candidates and narrowed the field to three -- one each from the elementary grades, middle and high school levels.
Kristan Tyndall, a first grade teacher at Northwest Elementary School, is the finalist at the elementary level. Grantham Middle School fifth grade math and science teacher Amy Kelly is the middle grades finalist. High school finalist is Jennifer Cochran, Rosewood High School math teacher.
Principals said the district finalists are outstanding representatives and have the necessary qualifications and characteristics to effectively represent their peers and colleagues across the district and state.
"Ms. Tyndall exhibits the qualities of an A-plus teacher," said Northwest principal Theresa Cox. "She is dedicated, hardworking, knowledgeable of her content, a teachers' leader, flexible when needed and loves her students and her craft."
Ms. Tyndall has 10 years of teaching experience, all at her present school. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and is National Board certified.
Ms. Kelly has been in the profession 21 years, four of them at Grantham. She has a bachelor's degree in elementary education. This is her second time being named a finalist in the district competition. In 1999, she was the elementary finalist.
"Students are excited to enter into and are immediately engaged in Ms. Kelly's classroom," said her principal, Lisa Tart. "She creates a welcoming, structured and nurturing classroom environment conducive to learning.
"I truly appreciate her commitment to the students, parents, staff and school."
Ms. Cochran has spent all 18 years of her career at Rosewood. She earned a bachelor's degree in human resources development with a minor in mathematics and a master's degree in education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction in technology.
"Ms. Cochran's genuine love for education makes her a perfect ambassador," said Rosewood Principal Karen Rogers. "In her classroom, she sets high expectations for math and life.
"Outside of her classroom, her involvement in extracurricular activities has given her the opportunity to help her students build character and develop leadership skills."
A banquet will be held Wednesday evening at Lane Tree Conference Center, during which the recipients will be honored and the school system's Teacher of the Year will be announced.
The district's Teacher of the Year will win a $5,000 travel/study stipend, a $5,000 check and advance to the regional level of the Teacher of the Year program.
The other two finalists will each receive a $4,000 travel/study stipend.