A Memorable Evening for our Teacher of the Year

Last Thursday night's banquet celebrating our schools' Teachers of the Year culminated in the naming of Powell Elementary's Ann Quarles as the 2008 Wake County Teacher of the Year. Here are some audio snapshots of a dramatic evening....

Dr. Burns announces, the crowd cheers, and a moved and humbled Ann Quarles accepts the honor (3:55):

Quarles: It also feels a little bit strange to be here all by myself up here, becuase teaching is a team effort. And anybody who's a good teacher knows that: we stand hand in hand with our fellow colleagues every day and are supported by -- well, there's my team right there -- but I couldn't do it without them. And my administration and my students and their parents and the other staff at Powell. And I think we all, as teachers who work hard, stand on the shoulders of people who've come before us. Our own teachers who had an impact on our lives, as well as mentors, family members. So, thank you for recognizing all those people in my life that have been so influential and hopefully touched the lives of my students every day. So thank you very much. I look forward to representing all of the wonderful teachers of Wake County.

Prior to the announcement we honored Paige Elliott, the 2007 Wake County Teacher of the Year and the 2008 North Central Region Teacher of the Year for North Carolina. Paige offered her thanks (1:41) to a constellation of supporters, but also took a moment to remind teachers of the strong advocates they have in our school system and community:

Elliott: Serving as Wake County Public School System's Teacher of the Year has afforded me the opportunity to observe and be a part of our educational system outside of my classroom and school. I wish that all of you knew -- truly knew -- how appreciated you are. At all the meetings, conferences, ceremonies and events I attended, our educational administrators, business leaders, and community members never failed to remark on the excellence of the educators of the Wake County schools. I smiled with gratitude, but my heart always sank, wishing that all Wake County teachers could feel what I felt during those moments, wishing you knew just how much you are truly appreciated.

I also had a moment to get Paige and Ann together and ask Paige to prepare Ann for the year ahead (1:12):

Quarles: Well, I'm really looking forward to exactly what Paige said. I love seeing what other teachers are doing in our classrooms and seeing all the wonderful things that are going on around the district, and the state, and everywhere, because I always pick up new ideas for my own classroom from other people's classrooms, so I'm looking forward to learning more about great ideas for teaching.

Also, Powell Elementary principal James Sposato praised Ann (0:20) and I tried to start an argument among Ann's three-member teaching team over who got to be the first passenger in Ann's new two-seater convertible. I failed -- Quarles, Sandy Thurmond and Evelyn Cheek are a true team in every sense of the word (2:39):

Thurmond: We read each other's minds. We are such a complementary team because one has one strength, several different strengths. Ann brings to the table just this cooperation, responsibility, and dedication, it's just amazing, in addition to her enthusiasm.

Cheek: And she's very, very smart, very intelligent, and I always say she's the brains of the operation.

Look for an extended conversation with Ann in an upcoming podcast with Bill Poston.

Posted by Chip Sudderth at 10:38 AM on May 21, 2008 | Leave Feedback

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