Cochran is named teacher of the year
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on June 2, 2016 1:46 PM
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Rosewood High School math teacher Jennifer Cochran, right, is congratulated by Dr. Michael Dunsmore, superintendent of Wayne County Public Schools on Wednesday night.
A Rosewood High School math teacher and volleyball coach was named Wayne County Public Schools' 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year on Wednesday evening.
Jennifer Cochran, who has spent all 18 years of her career at the school, was lauded for her strong leadership skills inside and outside the classroom and setting "high expectations" of her students.
"Her principal (Karen Rogers) said that she has a contagious spirit for students and success that rubs off on the people around her," said Dr. Michael Dunsmore, superintendent, who announced the winner. "She is truly an advocate for education, students, staff, families and the community.
"Her commitment to education, character and integrity and the whole student makes an excellent representative for the district's Teacher of the Year program."
Referencing Mrs. Cochran's bio, he shared about some of her methods for engaging students in exploring the areas of mathematics.
"'We sing, laugh, dance, construct, cut, paste, watch a video, use an interactive website or compute numbers during the course of a lesson,'" he read. "'With so many transitions and activities, it keeps student suspicious about what will happen on a daily basis.
"'This suspicion keeps students excited about coming to algebra class and about learning.'"
Approaching the stage to accept a bouquet of roses and crystal award, Mrs. Cochran was quick to share credit -- with her colleagues, students and family.
"I think teaching's a calling. It's definitely not for the money," she said, drawing laughter from the audience. "I just couldn't see myself doing anything else.
"I coach, I coach volleyball on the side. I'm the same in the classroom as I am on the court. My parents have instilled that in me, that wherever you go, whatever you do, you always need to make sure that you're the same person."
She was accompanied by her husband, Chad Cochran. The couple have two children, Kenzy, 4, and Cayley, 8.
Dean Sauls, assistant superintendent for support services/athletics and former principal at Rosewood High, also praised Mrs. Cochran.
"I was her principal for six years," he said. "I talked her into teaching Math I after teaching all the high level (courses). She did a fantastic job.
"I'm just proud of her. She's the ultimate team player."
Officials had changed up the routine this year for the process leading up to the annual banquet for its exemplary educators.
The district has long participated in the national Teacher of the Year program that has been in place for over 50 years. North Carolina has taken part in the effort since 1970.
Each of the 33 schools in the district names its own "Teacher of the Year." After an interview process, the field is narrowed down to three finalists, representing the elementary, middle and high school grades.
This year's other two finalists were Kristan Tyndall, a first-grade teacher at Northwest Elementary School, and Amy Kelly, a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Grantham Middle School.
Traditionally, the announcements of individual recipients are made after school dismisses for the summer.
Each candidate must then present a portfolio and undergo an interview process, with three finalists named and the district representative named within the first few days of the school year.
That was pushed back this year, with the announcements being made as the school year wraps up. The last day for students in the traditional schools will be next Tuesday.
The district's Teacher of the Year receives a check for $1,500 and a $5,000 Kemp/Twiford Workview Travel/Study Award to be used to travel outside the United States. She will now advance to the regional level Teacher of the Year contest.
The other two finalists each receive a $4,000 travel/study stipend.