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Site Teachers of the Year Announced at Recent Professional Development Day Activities
Sperry Public Schools Announces 2016-2017
Site Teachers of the Year
Sperry teachers gathered on January 3rd for a day of important professional development to increase their instructional skills. Before they focused on improving student academic success, however, teachers were provided a moment of much needed recognition of three of their peers. Prior to the semester break, teachers at each site looked among their peers and chose one to represent them as their site Teacher of the Year for 2016-2017, and as the gathered staff waited to begin their professional development activities, the three site principals announced site teachers of the year. Each of the three recipients of the award receive a plaque, a check, and much deserved applause from their co-teachers.
Sperry Elementary School 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year:
Dawn Williams
(Above: Elementary Teacher of the Year Dawn Williams with Elementary Principal Richard Akin)
Dawn Williams has taught for 11 years, with 4 of those being at Sperry Elementary. Ms. Williams’ dedication to improving student learning is evidenced in the fact that for her entire time at Sperry Schools she has chosen to work with students who struggle with mathematics. She is part of the district’s Title I team that focuses on helping students improve their skills in reading or mathematics through supplemental instruction to support their activities in the regular classroom. Ms. Williams works with students in 1st through 5th grades.
Elementary principal Richard Akin said, “Dawn has been a very valuable asset to the children of Sperry as well as proving to be a great asset to our district. She can be found daily in her classroom providing meaningful and differentiated instruction which is data driven by her constant monitoring of state standards and tailoring those standards to each individual learner. She is constantly seeking out professional development to enhance her instructional skills.”
Sperry Middle School 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year:
Shaun Coke
(Above: Middle School Teacher of the Year Shaun Coke and Middle School Principal Mike Juby)
Mr. Shaun Coke began his teaching career at Sperry Public Schools in 2008, and has taught English this entire time to 7th and 8th grade. He sponsors the Middle School Academic Bowl team as their coach, working with students before and after school, and taking the team to a series of competitions with other schools in the area.
Sperry Middle School Principal Mike Juby said, “Mr. Coke is very strong on content knowledge in English, and for the wide range of information he has to know for the Academic Bowl Team. He utilizes a range to teaching strategies, using differentiated instruction in all his classes, but still his expectations are very lofty for each student.”
Sperry High School 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year:
Denton Wolf
(Above: High School Teacher of the Year Denton Wolf and High School Principal Randy Shaw)
Denton Wolf is in his 5th year of teaching, all of which has been at Sperry High School. He has taught a wide range of mathematics, including Algebra II, statistics, trigonometry, and pre-calculus. Mr. Wolf helped develop and establish the district’s mathematics Advanced Placement courses. Mr. Wolf also assists in coaching football and baseball.
High School Principal Randy Shaw said, “Mr. Wolf is an asset to this district. He is a young teacher who has the ability of a seasoned teacher. His class is orderly and the instruction is relevant.”
In March, the district will select one of these three Site Teachers of the Year to be the District Teacher of the Year.
