About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 2018)
4A Sunday, December 9, 2018 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com TEACHERS OF THE YEAR Hall County Teachers of the Year Amy Holliman School: Myers Elementary Teaches: 4th grade Years at school: 7 Years teaching: 11 City of residence: Braselton Quote: Being an educator is an awesome responsibility. I consider it such a blessing and my daily mission. We have an amazing opportunity to help students develop a lifelong love of learning and make a positive impact on their lives. I am honored that my Myers family recognizes my passion to help students succeed and become the best version of themselves. Amy Berra School: Chicopee Woods Elementary Teaches: Reader’s Theater Years at school: 14 Years teaching: 14 City of residence: Clermont Quote: “A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” - Brad Henry. I pray every day that I am being the teacher my students need. When I see them with hope in their eyes that was previously not there, or watch them create, or have joy when they figure something out, I feel rewarded. I did not put it there, but I try to help draw it out. Every student has dreams and I want so badly for them to reach for them and be courageous in their learning. Ashley Snapp School: Sugar Hill Academy Teaches: Kindergarten Years at school: 17 Years teaching: 19 City of residence: Jefferson Quote: What makes teaching so rewarding to me is knowing that I am able to make an impact on students’ lives everyday. Having former students come back year after year with smiling faces and warm hugs makes me remember why I do what I do. To have been chosen as the teacher of the year for Sugar Hill among so many fabulous teachers is a huge honor to me. If feels good to know that my efforts are seen and appreciated by my co-workers. Jackie Greene ^ School: Cherokee Bluff ■ Teaches: Severe L j Profound Disabilities I t > J Years at School: 1 L ■ Years Teaching: 19 ™ City of Residence: Gainesville Quote: I am so humbled and honored to be chosen as Cherokee Bluff Middle School’s first teacher of the year! People always tell me that it takes a special person to teach children with special needs, but I believe with all my heart that a child with special needs inspires me to be a special kind of person. Mary Katherine Johnson School: White Sulphur Elementary Teaches: 4th Grade Writing Years at school: 5 Years teaching: 5 City of residence: Gainesville Quote: One of the greatest privileges of a teacher is the opportunity to inspire and encourage students to be the best versions of themselves. As teachers, we can empower students to take charge of their learning, ignite a passion in them, and encourage them to work hard toward accomplishing their goals. I am honored to be selected as teacher of the year and am grateful for the opportunity to impact the lives of students each day. Shawn Griffin g School: Spout Springs I elementary Teaches: 3rd Grade I Years at school: 4 I* - Jl Years teaching: 17 years Wa City of residence: Flowery Branch Quote: The rewards are endless in 3rd grade, however one of my favorites is when the light bulb clicks and they finally get it! Watching the excitement spread across their face and knowing they feel successful is such an amazing experience! I feel honored that my team members felt that I was deserving of this recognition. Everyone at SSSE works very hard to help our students to be successful, I don’t feel that I am better or more deserving of this reward than they are. Jessica Mueller School: Cherokee Bluff High Teaches: Library media specialist Years at school: 1 Years teaching: 15 City of residence: Braselton Quote: Each day, I get the opportunity to inspire learners to know that they are capable of changing their world; I get to support teachers who are excited about innovatively reaching their students; and I get to partner with faculty and community members to help make a difference in our school and local community. Jeff Kelly School: Chestatee High Teaches: Theater Years at school: 8 Years teaching: 13 City of residence: Gainesville Quote: Theater is life. It shows us our humanity, or lack thereof. It encourages dialogue, fosters teamwork and gives confidence in one’s self. Most of all, it allows us to see who we really are without pretense, and more importantly, it shows us who we can and should be. This award means the world and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. Vickie Rundbaken School: Flowery Branch High Teaches: Family & Consumer Sciences Years at school: 5 Years teaching: 27 City of residence: Dacula Quote: It is a great honor to have been selected as the teacher of the year. The quote from William Yeats, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire,” is the perfect saying to represent the style of teacher that I am. To find students that are excited about learning and finding their passion is the reason I teach. Kara Thomas School: Flowery Branch Elementary Teaches: K/1 multi-age Years at school: 11 Years teaching: 17 City of residence: Buford Quote: Teaching is one of my greatest joys. I love hands-on activities and am motivated by seeing the kids light up as a lesson comes to life. Building relationships with the children in my classroom, and their families, for years long after they’ve left my classroom is just one of the many rewards of my job. I love my school and community; it is such an honor to represent both. Sonia Alvarez School: World Language Academy Teaches: 3rd grade math, science, and language arts-all in Spanish. Years at school: 10 Years teaching: 24 City of residence: Buford Quote: I strongly believe that learning is a never-ending process and being a teacher is the best example of it. When I decided to be a teacher, I just started getting involved in this process that implies not only training, but being deeply committed to high-quality education for children. I am very grateful to my colleagues for making me worthy of this honor for the second time. It is important to share our experiences and learn from them. Cheryl Walls School: Chestnut Mountain CSI Teaches: 4th Grade Years at school: 17 Years teaching: 21 City of residence: Braselton Quote: One of the most rewarding things about teaching is seeing my students grow to love learning. I love seeing them gain confidence and believe that they can reach their goals and be successful. Being selected as CMCSI’s Teacher of the Year is a great honor and I am thankful to work with such an amazing group of people who inspire me daily. Sonja Carter School: McEverArts Academy Teaches: Kindergarten Years at school: 16 Years teaching: 24 City of residence: Gainesville Quote: It’s very rewarding to hear the students say, “This has been the best day ever!” It makes all the planning worth it. Also, it’s an honor to me when former students come back to visit after moving on to middle school and high school, and share with me their career paths, that they are making good grades, what activities they are involved with, and what they remembered about Marlene Goodall School: West Hall High Teaches: Science Years at school: 5 Years teaching: 5 City of residence: Braselton Quote: Teaching is a gift that shouldn’t be taken for granted. The classroom is the soil containing all the nutrients to cultivate the students to grow beyond what is expected. To help them grow, it is important to identify a purpose. Students are eager to learn better when knowledge has meaning. When students understand meaning they thrive in and out of the classroom. I am blessed to know that I serve as a role model to many. Megan Kotula School: Academies of Discovery at South Hall Middle School Teaches: 7th grade science Years at school: 7 Years teaching: 13 City of residence: Flowery Branch Quote: To me, helping students learn and inspiring a sense of wonder about the natural world makes teaching science rewarding. I feel very honored and blessed to receive this award when I work with so many other amazing teachers who are just as deserving. Casey Phillips School: Tadmore Elementary Teaches: Digital Learning Lab Years at school: 11 Years teaching: 15 City of residence: Jefferson Quote: The most rewarding part of teaching for me is witnessing that celebratory “Aha!” moment when a student overcomes a challenge, learns something new or realizes they have reached their goal. Being able to encourage students to become empowered learners is important to me. Lorrie Miller School: Lanier Elementary Teaches: 5th grade Years at school: 12 Years teaching: 15 City of residence: Gainesville Quote: Teaching is definitely a calling and I feel blessed to be called to such a rewarding job where I can touch the lives of kids daily. I feel like I learn just as much from my students as they do from me. I am honored to be the teacher of the year at Lanier among all the wonderful teachers. Ann Stroberg Harper School: Mount Vernon Exploratory Teaches: 3rd grade Years at school: 2 Years teaching: 15 City of residence: Cleveland Quote: It is an honor to be named teacher of the year at Mount Vernon. I am so fortunate to get to work alongside amazing teachers, administrators, and 24 pretty extraordinary 3rd graders. I quest to make learning fun and exciting for my students. It is my ultimate goal that they grow to be lifelong learners. Giovanna Garcia School: World Language W zz. i n Years at the school: 8 \ I Years teaching: 8 \ . - / I City of Residence: ' —■ Quote: I became a teacher looking for “meaning.” Today, I know that what I do every day helps shape a human being that will be able to solve problems and will be able to stand behind their own decisions. Being teacher of the year has validated my hard work. I realized that what I do does matter and it transcends beyond the four walls of my classroom. Misty Bull School: Sardis Enrichment School Teaches: Physical Education Years at school: 20 Years teaching: 20 City of residence: Gainesville Quote: Teaching is so rewarding because kindergarten. it allows you to really inspire and help kids become the best version of themselves. I want them to leave my classroom with character and the confidence to believe in themselves just like I believe in them. I often use the quote from John Wooden that states, “Character is who you are when no one is watching.” Nicole Hill School: Friendship Elementary Teaches: Gifted Education Years at school: 23 Years teaching: 25 City of Residence: Flowery Branch Quote: I am honored to represent my school, colleagues and community as teacher of the year. Every day, I look for new ways to inspire my students to problem solve more, dream more, create more and achieve more. William “Buddy” Earnest Jr. School: Chestatee Academy Teaches: Social studies Years at school: 17 Years teaching: 23 City of residence: Gainesville Quote: To be recognized among such an outstanding faculty here at Chestatee is truly an honor. I love what I do and believe that - to be an effective educator - you have to really love kids and enjoy being around and working with them. I have been blessed to be surrounded by some amazing people who have poured into me and helped me develop my teaching style. Mandy Sullens School: Wauka Mountain Multiple Intelligences Academy Teaches: Special Education Resource Years at school: 8 Years teaching: 8 City of residence: Gainesville Quote: Helping my students achieve academic and personal goals, and being able to celebrate those accomplishments with them, is what makes teaching so rewarding for me. I have the opportunity to do what I am most passionate about while making a positive impact on my students every day. Dody Sorrells School: C.W. Davis Middle Teaches: 6th grade earth science Years at school: 17 Years teaching: 20 City of residence: Braselton Quote: It is an honor to be recognized by my colleagues. I work with amazing teachers who continue to inspire me to always do what’s best for our students. The most rewarding times are the moments I see students gain confidence in themselves and begin to believe the potential I already see in them. Kelly Olson School: Riverbend Elementary Teaches: Special Education Years at school: 14 Years teaching: 28 City of residence: Lula Quote: There is nothing more rewarding than knowing and seeing the evidence that you’ve made an impact on a student’s (and their family’s) life. To be recognized as Riverbend Elementary’s teacher of the year is a true honor, but I am very cognizant of the fact that a student’s success is a result of a team of individuals, not just one teacher or staff member. April Kirby School: West Hall Middle Teaches: Math remediation Years at school: 18 Years teaching: 25 City of residence: Flowery Branch Quote: I will never make millions of dollars for what I do each day, but I have something much more precious tucked safely away in my desk drawer. This is where I keep letters and notes from my students thanking me for teaching and helping them believe in themselves. This is why I teach. I know my students will not always remember everything I taught them, but they will remember how I treated them, and that is what is really important in the life of a child. 1364 Candler Rd., Gainesville, GA 30507 Congratulations to this Year’s Teachers of the Year
