Making the grade: Sites announce Teachers of the Year

November 21, 2008 02:13 am

— Norman Public Schools Site Teachers of the Year are Yasmin Merchant, Adams Elementary; Kayla Clemmons, Cleveland Elementary; Nora Link, Eisenhower Elementary; Jane Dmytryk, Jackson Elementary; Susan Wright, Jefferson Elementary; Melissa Wolfe, Kennedy Elementary; Lani Garner, Lakeview Elementary; Deborah Grensky, Lincoln Elementary; Kathy Nixon, Madison Elementary; Leslie Liesenfeld, McKinley Elementary; Janet Hardage, Monroe Elementary; Alyson Hobson, Roosevelt Elementary; Denise Wright, Truman Elementary; Kim Keener, Washington Elementary; Laura Collins, Wilson Elementary; Deborah Wilson, alternative education; Emily Todd, Alcott Middle School; Christi Copeland, Irving Middle School; Gail Richardson, Longfellow Middle School; Mary Pace, Whittier Middle School; Randy Hemphill, Norman High School; and Eileen Grzybowski, Norman North High School.
Emily Todd has received a passing grade from her co-workers at Alcott Middle School.
Todd and 21 other teachers in Norman Public Schools have been named Site Teachers of the Year for 2009.
"I was not expecting it, although I was one of three finalists," Todd said. "I was definitely shocked and honored."
Todd is in the middle of her fifth year of teaching at Alcott. She teaches seventh grade language arts.
She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in English education from the University of Oklahoma.
"The reason I chose to go into education is because teachers were a guiding influence in my life, and without teachers there would be no other professions," she said.
Todd said she enjoys making personal connections with students and being that spark when they grasp a concept.
"I love 12-year-olds because they're mature enough to think logically and rationally, but they're still young enough to be goofy and have fun in the classroom," she said.
Todd said she wanted to thank the Alcott faculty for choosing her as their teacher of the year.
NPS superintendent Dr. Joe Siano said, "Norman Public Schools have many excellent teachers, and these teachers certainly represent the quality of instruction that we have in our district. To be recognized by your peers is a wonderful tribute as a professional."
The 22 educators who have been selected from their sites are eligible for the Norman District Teacher of the Year Award.
According to a press release from NPS, the staff development committee will interview the candidates in February.
"Teachers must submit mini-portfolios to the committee that will include a resume, philosophy of teaching, professional development training, community service and a 3-5 minute unedited video of their classroom instruction interacting with students," the release stated.
Finalists will be announced in February. Those candidates will be required to submit a "more comprehensive" portfolio to the staff development committee, according to the release.
The Norman District Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Celebration of Excellence banquet in April 2009.
Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com