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Site Teachers of the Year Announced
Sperry Elementary School 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year: Alexandria Smart
Being in just her fifth year of teaching, it might seem surprising to some that second grade teacher Alexandria Smart was chosen as the Elementary Teacher of the Year. It does not, however, surprise any of her peers in the Elementary who have come to know her work quite well. Mrs. Smart instills in her students a sense of self-discipline to enhance their learning through increased focus during instruction. Her colleagues on the second grade team have noted that her teaching ability contradicts the limited number of years she has taught. The academic success of her students and the respect of her peers are just two of the results of her teaching style. “I find myself amazed at her subject area knowledge and her ability to relate to and differentiate the material for her students,” Elementary Principal Richard Akin said of Mrs. Smart. “She is compassionate and enthusiastic about teaching.”
Sperry Middle School 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year: Melody Anderson
Title I mathematics specialist Melody Anderson works with students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades throughout the day, and teaches one class of Pre-Algebra to eighth grade students. She has 21 years of teaching experience, the last four at Sperry. Mrs. Anderson has taught all grades of secondary students in her career, and a wide range of math classes. At Sperry, her instructional skill has been put to the test as most of her day is spent working with students who find the subject area she most adores the hardest to learn. She takes their lack of appreciation for mathematics in stride, however, and endeavors to build an understanding and as much comfort with learning math as possible. Middle School Principal Mike Juby noted, “Mrs. Anderson does an outstanding job differentiating her instruction daily to meet the learning needs of each student.” He pointed out that one of Mrs. Anderson’s key assets is her ability to “change the mindset of students, and they leave her class with a greater understanding of math.”
Sperry High School 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year: Carmen Bain
High School special education English teacher Carmen Bain is at Sperry Schools for the second time in her 14-year teaching career. Mrs. Bain is National Board certified in the area of Exceptional Needs, which is the area she teaches. During her past six years at Sperry, she has taught special education English and has served as librarian and as a coach. Randy Shaw, High School Principal, has a great deal of respect for Mrs. Bain’s work ethic. “She moved from being a full-time librarian to being a full-time special education teacher for students in sixth through twelfth grades with a smoothness that only comes from a deep understanding of the content and a love of teaching.”
Each of the site Teachers of the Year submit an application with a personal biography and their philosophy of teaching for review by the District Staff Development Committee. After carefully reviewing the applications, the committee will announce the District Teacher of the Year.
