Newspaper Page Text
The ADVANCE, December 1, 2021/Page 4A
Sftje Aiiuancg
vcs
continued from page 1A
she went into education was
the inspiration that she re
ceived through her own ed
ucation experience. "From
Kindergarten into college,
I was inspired by fabulous
teachers and coaches who
believed in me, encouraged
me, and made me want to be
the best that I could be. The
only occupation I ever con
sidered was teaching."
The mother of two (Zoe
12, and Levi, 7), Caraballo
is married to Jose Caraballo
and said that the ability to
"touch a child's life" was her
motivation. "Knowing that I
could be the one to touch a
child's life, to help them real
ize their potential, and make
them believe in their dreams
is the only motivation I have
ever needed. I have always
wanted to make a difference
in the world, and I needed
an occupation that would
give me an opportunity to
pour into others."
J.R. Trippe Principal
Dr. Sandy Reid said that
Caraballo has a "servants
heart" and cares about the
kids in the classroom and
they know it. "She has de
veloped relationships with
the kids that enable her to
require high levels of en
gagement and high levels
of work in her classroom.
Students work hard for her
because of the relationships
she has built with the stu
dents."
Reid went on to say
that Caraballo is a "teach
ers' teacher" and is one of
our mentor teachers. "It's
not uncommon to find Ju
lie working with teachers
who are new to the profes
sion or to the school. She
does a great job with that,
and she actually has helped
us hammer out a lot of the
protocols that we use for
mentoring teachers. A lot of
the structures that we have
in place, she was critical in
creating those."
Reid said that Caraballo
is "kind and compassion
ate," and that helps her with
her role in mentoring oth
ers. "The teachers respond
very well to her and she
may be one of the most pa
tient people I know, so she
works really well in the role
of mentoring others."
Reid added, "We have a
building full of great teach
ers and it's really hard when
you try and determine what
characteristics would allow
one to be recognized in this
role, and at the end of the
day, she just has all of those
characteristics. She is a 10
out of 10 in every area and
very much deserves this rec
ognition."
In years past the TOTY
was voted on by their peers
in the individual schools but
because of the change to a
cash award for the honor,
Vidalia Assistant Superin
tendent Ginger Morris said
the process needed change.
"Teacher of the Year is an ex
citing time in our school sys
tem as administration and
staff once again reflect on
schools. As the Assistant Su
perintendent of Curriculum
and Instruction, I couldn't
agree more! I am excited
for our 2023 Teacher of the
Year, Mrs. Julie Caraballo.
Her passion for the students
in her class and school are
evident in and out of the
classroom. To know her
is to see someone who is
passionate about her voca
tion and exudes her love of
teaching to students and
staff. An "Indian" from birth,
she is a culmination of all
that is good and right with
public education. I applaud
her for her dedication to her
beliefs and for continuing
the legacy of excellence in
adults for 32 years at South
ern Nuclear Company/
Plant Hatch. McLeod and
his wife, Luanne, have six
children: Joseph, 37, Ben,
35, Stephen, 33, David, 31,
Anna, 29, and Nathan, 26.
In commenting on his
reason for becoming a teach
er, McLeod said, "I found a
number of years ago that the
only life worth living is one
that's given away. The ques
tion then was what from my
life could I give away? It was
my love for teaching oth
ers — to see someone learn
something new."
He added, "Then there
is love, compassion, pa
tience, and kindness. I could
III 1
J ' ,
III > Rii '
11 ■■ t
VHS TOTY—Wade McLeod, who was named Vidalia High School's top educator, has
been teaching for 4 years and 4 months in the Vidalia City School System, He also
taught adults for 32 years af Southern Nuclear Company/Plant Hatch. Shown above,
with McLeod, center, are: McLeod's son, David, his daughter, Anna, his wife, Luanne,
and VHS Principal John Sharpe.
the attributes of what makes
a great teacher! This year's
process was different as this
is the first time our teachers
received a monetary award
at both the school and sys
tem level.”
The process begins
with administration using
the TOTY criterion to nar
row the field of possible re
cipients. Once that is done,
peers voted on the list of
teachers who meet the crite
rion to represent them.
Morris added, "The
judges told us it was a hard
decision this year and they
complemented each teacher
chosen at their respective
the system!"
Caraballo and the other
finalists will be recognized
at the December meeting
of the Vidalia Board of Edu
cation, where they will be
presented with a cash award
and plaque honoring their
selection.
Below are the Teach
ers of the Year from each of
the four Vidalia City School
System schools.
Wade McLeod,
Vidalia High School
McLeod has been
teaching for 4 years and 4
months in the Vidalia City
School System. He taught
always give those away and
teaching provides the path
way. Of course, I miss the
target often, but I'm still
aiming. Next to that, I'm also
blown away by the world
God made. Learning about
His amazing creation—the
order and beauty are excit
ing and never grow old. It's
a joy to see someone's eyes
fight up when you see them
catch the wonder of this
world."
Kristen Palmer,
Sally Meadows
Elementary School
Kristen Palmer has
been teaching for 30 years
ita TatinC
lOqmsoDm
OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR — Kristen Palmer was named
Teacher of the Year at Sally Meadows Elementary School.
Palmer has been teaching for 30 years and has been in
the Vidalia City School System for 23 of those years.
JDD TOP TEACHER — Valerie Tapley, a 16-year veteran
educator, was named Teacher of the Year at J.D. Dick
erson Elementary School. She has been with the Vidalia
School System for 6 years.
and has been in the Vidalia
City School System for 23
of those years. She and her
husband, Jeff, have two chil
dren: Jodi Tharpe, 22, and
Sara Kate Palmer, 19.
Palmer said she chose a
career in education because
that "that is what I feel I was
meant to be." She added, "I
cannot remember a time
that I didn't want to teach.
I love being able to help
students grow into lifelong
learners and productive citi
zens."
Valerie Tapley, J.D. Dick
erson Elementary School
Valerie Tapley has been
teaching for 16 years, with
the last 6 in the Vidalia City
Schools. She and her hus
band, Jay, have two children:
Abigail, 19, and Emma, 16.
Tapley says the reason
she became a teacher was
because of her "love of chil
dren, their well-being, and
their learning." Tapley went
on to say, "I have always en
joyed interacting with chil
dren and believe I can make
a difference in their fives. I
hope to make an impact on
each child I teach and hope
they leave me knowing that
I love them.
THERE’S
NO PLACE
LIKE...
Vidalia Federal
Mortgage
Services
can open the door
to your own home.
M
E
FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
300 Jackson Street
Vidalia, Georgia
912-537-8805
142 S. Victory Drive
Lyons, Georgia
9i2-526-88oo Member
www.vidfedonline.com
FDIC
Call and come in today
and talk to our mortgage
lender, Julia McKenzie
Julia McKenzie
Mortgage Lender
NMLS # 1991420