Finalists announced for MCSD Teacher of the Year
The finalists for the Muscogee County School District’s 2015 Teacher of the Year award were announced Friday:
· Oliver Ellis, Fort Middle School, seventh-grade science
· Sheryl Green, Jordan High School, English and literature
· Isiah Harper, Northside High School, theater
The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation, which conducts the district’s Teacher of the Year program, announced these other semifinalists two weeks ago:
· Pagianna Boykin, Dorothy Height Elementary School, fourth-grade math
· Beth Horner, Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy, kindergarten
· Karen McDavid, Midland Academy, third grade
· Jeffrey Pearce, Columbus High School, chemistry and physics
· Lynn Robertson, Aaron Cohn Middle School, seventh-grade science
· Ebony Robinson, North Columbus Elementary School, third grade
· Aleatha Thrush, Britt David Magnet Academy, art
Carole Rutland, retired executive director of the Columbus State University Coca-Cola Space Science Center, is chairwoman of the foundation’s Teacher of the Year selection committee, which determined the 10 semifinalists by assessing the applications of the nominees, one from each of the district’s 56 schools. Then the committee interviewed the semifinalists to choose the three finalists.
Rutland, now the coordinator of the Coalition for Sound Growth, explained to the Ledger-Enquirer what stands out about Ellis, Green and Harper.
“Without exception, these three became animated when they spoke about their students and their classes,” she said. “They each had a powerful message for our entire community and beyond.”
That message include believing in data-driven classrooms that focus on teaching essential skills, not giving up on their students – and insisting their students don’t give up on themselves – as well as encouraging them to find their gifts and enhance them, Rutland said.
“They strive to have every student reaching their individual academic goals and then motivate them to go farther than they expected,” she said. “Their stories include motivational tools which make you want to sign up for whatever they are teaching.”
The finalists’ applications and interviews showed evidence of exciting classes full of hands-on and relevant learning, and they have impressive records of community involvement, Rutland said.
“We are indeed fortunate to have teachers of this caliber in Columbus,” she said.
To select the winner, committee members will observe the finalists teaching in their classrooms. The foundation will announce the winner during its annual gala, May 7 in the Columbus Convention & Trade Center.
Along with Rutland, the selection committee members are: Rodney Close, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley chief executive officer; Steve Davis, Columbus Water Works president; Kim Lester, the 2013 Teacher of the Year when she taught at Britt David (now at St. Elmo); Marquette McKnight, Media Marketing and More chief executive officer; Joe Mills, the 2002 Teacher of the Year when he taught at Johnson Elementary (now an educational consultant at the Center for the Collaborative Classroom); Bill Murphy, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce executive vice president for economic development; Warren Steele, Columbus Regional Health Board of Directors chairman.
MEEF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering educational excellence by helping and honoring innovative and effective teachers. In its 19-year history, the foundation has awarded more than $1.9 million through the Teacher of the Year, STEM-T3, Harvard Fellows and Harvard Project Zero programs, as well as grants.
HOW TO ATTEND THE GALA
What: Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation annual gala, where the Muscogee County School District’s 2015 Teacher of the Year will be announced.
When: May 7; reception starts at 6 p.m., dinner and program at 7 p.m.
Where: Columbus Convention & Trade Center
Tickets: $35; on sale April 13-24 at the Springer Opera House Box Office.
MCSD 2015 TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Tracie Urness, AIM Program
Lynn Robertson, Aaron Cohn Middle School
Shannon Williamson, Allen Elementary School
Kelli Kelley, Arnold Magnet Academy
Rosalyn Shavers, Baker Middle School
Linda Purter, Blackmon Road Middle School
Ronica Forte, Blanchard Elementary School
Cara Humphries, Brewer Elementary School
Aleatha Thrush, Britt David Magnet Academy
Victoria Neal, Carver High School
Lori Carson, Clubview Elementary School
Jeffrey Pearce, Columbus High School
Kristi Shorter-Crawford, Davis Elementary School
Amanda Martin, Dawson Elementary School
Casey McKinney, Dimon Elementary Magnet Academy
Pagianna Boykin, Dorothy Height Elementary School
Cecille Cooper, Double Churches Elementary School
Victoria Vialva Griffin, Double Churches Middle School
Beth Horner, Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy
Kelly Williams, Eagle Ridge Academy
Polly Ann Propst Everritt, Early College Academy
Anthony Shelton, East Columbus Magnet Academy
Fredrick Weldon, Eddy Middle School
Erica Womack, Forrest Road Elementary School
Oliver Ellis, Fort Middle School
Suzanne Butler, Fox Elementary School
Jeannie Cole, Gentian Elementary School
Jessica Thorne, Georgetown Elementary School
Stacy Lacy, Hannan Elementary Magnet Academy
Natalie Kelly, Hardaway High School
Susan Franks, Johnson Elementary School
Sheryl Green, Jordan High School
Harrold Hines, Kendrick High School
Julie Wood, Key Elementary School
Benita Laughlin, Lonnie Jackson Academy
Cholana Foley, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
Tiffany Perrine, Mathews Elementary School
Karen McDavid, Midland Academy
Jason Thorne, Midland Middle School
Ebony Robinson North Columbus Elementary School
Isiah Harper, Northside High School
Marie Epting, Reese Road Leadership Academy
Stan Shively, Richards Middle School
Kylie Holloway, Rigdon Road Elementary School
Shannon Wooldridge, River Road Elementary School
Sherry Bell, Rothschild Leadership Academy
Diana Allen, Shaw High School
Eleanore Camacho, South Columbus Elementary School
Gaye Haynes, Spencer High School
Jennifer Dobbins, St. Elmo Center for the Gifted
Sasha Smith, St. Marys Road Magnet Academy
Jeremy White, Veterans Memorial Middle School
Angela Capers, Waddell Elementary School
Rebecca Willis-Powell, Wesley Heights Elementary School
Forrest Parker, Woodall Center
Mary Thompson, Wynnton Arts Academy
This story was originally published April 3, 2015 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Finalists announced for MCSD Teacher of the Year."