2000 Teacher of the Year Finalists Chosen

Wednesday, April 26, 2000 - Seven of Wake County's best teachers have earned finalist honors in the 2000 Teacher of the Year competition. One of them will be chosen to receive the school system's highest honor on May 4 at the "Gold Star Award Banquet" sponsored by Central Carolina Bank.

The seven finalists were chosen from a field of 109 school-based nominees from all over Wake County, which was then narrowed to 21 semifinalists.

Wake County's Teacher of the Year receives a prize package worth thousands of dollars, including use of a Saturn automobile for a year, a $1,000 cash prize from Central Carolina Bank, an IBM Thinkpad computer, two airline tickets from Hickory Beeline Travel, and gifts certificates from various local merchants.

The remaining six finalists will receive a $500 cash prize also from CCB and an array of other gifts. In all, local businesses support the Teacher of the Year program with tens of thousands of dollars in cash, gifts, and services.

Wake County's Teacher of the Year goes on to compete in the North Carolina Teacher of the Year program. Last year's Wake County winner was Martha "Kip" Caton, a music teacher from Fuquay-Varina Elementary School.

The Teacher of the Year is selected after a comprehensive screening and application process, which includes a written and videotaped portfolio. Candidates must also undergo a grueling interview with the selection committee.

The seven local finalists are as follows:

1. Vinetta Bell - Enloe High

Vinetta Bell teaches AP and Advanced English 11, American Literature, Philosophy and Literature, and Study of a Major Author. She's taught here 11 years at both East Wake and Enloe High schools, also taught at N.C. State University and Wake Technical Community College, plus worked at the NC Department of Correction in staff development and training.

She sees her job as assuaging fears and building self-confidence as she guides students in demonstrating to themselves that they can meet academic expectations. "Thinking empowers people to be their own best teacher," she says. "And that is my primary goal: to teach people to be lifelong, independent and interdependent learners, to be teachers of themselves and others."

Calling this nominee "extremely professional," Lloyd Gardner, principal at Enloe High, says, "It is important to Dr. Bell that students not only learn the material but also experience the joy of learning... Dr. Bell welcomes opportunities to mentor and train teachers, write curriculum, and develop teaching standards. She is proud to be a teacher."

2. Holly Budzinski - Green Hope High

Eleven-year teacher Holly Budzinski's career has taken her from Pennsylvania to New Jersey before leading her to Wake County. She transferred from East Cary Middle last year to the then-new Green Hope High School to serve as math teacher and volleyball coach.

Here's her philosophy: "I'm a math teacher but feel very strongly that I am there to educate the whole child - to teach them about life and to support them as they grow and make life decisions. My strength as a teacher is through gaining a positive rapport with students. I am a motivator and I am sincere. The students know I care about them."

Her assistant principal, Jane Clayton, says: "Ms. Budzinski is determined to teach students that math is relevant to the real world and not just jargon in a textbook. She has students try activities and construct models. She uses computer-assisted techniques and is always trying to learn new methods for teaching."

3. John Enloe - Fuquay-Varina High

Band Director John Enloe has shared the "importance and beauty of music" with young people in his 21 years teaching and directing band. He says, "I teach because I can watch an awkward sixth grader walk into my class the first day of school, eager to learn but clueless as to how to put his instrument together, much less how to produce a sound. I teach because I want that sixth grader ... to enjoy and appreciate music on some level 20 years from now... to understand that talent will not define him as much as hard work will ... to experience the success which comes from hard work ... (to) grow up to be whatever he chooses to be and still enjoy and love music. I teach because I want to make a difference."

Fuquay-Varina High Principal Charles Rose says this about Mr. Enloe: "He is always a positive voice for our school and serves as an inspiration for all of his fellow educators. But maybe most important of all, he enjoys the deep respect and affection of his students. Large numbers of them have entered careers in music or music education as a result of their relationship with him."

4. Bobby Hinson - East Millbrook Middle

Middle school band teacher Bobby Hinson, who's taught nine years, plays with the North Carolina Wind Orchestra, the pit orchestra for North Carolina Theatre and substitutes with the North Carolina Symphony. His students enjoy attending these events to see him "practice what he preaches" from the other side of the baton.

Since joining the East Millbrook Middle band program in 1993, Mr. Hinson has nurtured it from 106 students to 318. He believes it's important that students understand what's expected of them. "My students," he says, "know they are expected to treat their classmates, me, and themselves with courtesy and respect."

Principal Dana King says of Mr. Hinson, "His commitment to his students is what makes him special. He meets students in the morning before school and in the afternoons way past the activity bus pick-up time. This spring he has planned a weekend to hold a jazz band competition and workshop for Wake County high school and middle school jazz bands at East Millbrook. Why does he do all that he does? Because he thinks it's good for the children."

5. Sue Hove - Fox Road Elementary

Involved in education more than 10 years, Sue Hove has taught fifth grade at Fox Road since 1995. She says, "We must provide for each child to find interest and satisfaction in many fields of learning, because the ultimate goal should be to provide opportunities for each child to become a happy, healthy, productive adult."

A self-described lifelong learner, Ms. Hove says her own curiosity is contagious, as well as her excitement about life, both of which make her a good teacher. "I am regularly inspired by the scenes and stories of our world. This creates a good role model for my students. I want them to see me explore and understand what is in the world around us."

Says her principal, Teresa Abron: "Ms. Hove is exceptional! She is a model teacher beyond description. In my 22 years in education, she ranks in the top 5 percent. She demonstrates care, compassion, and genuine devotion to giving her students quality instruction."

6. Candice Hudson - Lockhart Elementary

Candice Hudson's teaching career dates back to 1978. She taught second grade for 20 years at Knightdale Elementary, then joined Lockhart two years ago as teacher of a first and second grade combination. "It is my belief," she says, "that all children need to succeed and that all children can learn."

She's a firm believer that mastering basic skills is key to a child's success, and she's an advocate of instructional technology. She has a Technology Connections classroom. She says students learn best in a "stimulating, inviting atmosphere that promotes creative thinking and problem solving."

Her principal, Terri Cobb, observes: "Ms. Hudson continues to amaze me with her willingness to try new instructional methods on behalf of her students. The evidence is in the results. Her students have consistently made a great deal of progress and tend to be the higher performing students at their grade level."

7. Ella Strowbridge - Kingswood Elementary

A seven-year teacher, Ella Strowbridge helps her kindergarten students discover things for themselves and thus "construct meaning in terms of their own experiences."

"I firmly believe that Ôthe sky is the limit,'" she says, "if children search for the answers and experience things for themselves. It is my job to carefully plan out and lead them through experiments and situations to foster that type of learning." She says patience, versatility, and a sense of humor are key to her teaching style.

Principal Sue Sisson notes, "Her love for learning and teaching ensures an exciting classroom atmosphere. Science experiments, perking kids up with her guitar playing, or heading out around the campus for another adventure, Ms. Strowbridge ensures children perceive learning as fun and rewarding."

The remaining semifinalists are: Renee Alman, Daniels Middle; Joan Certa-Moore, Bugg Elementary; Deborah Holmes, East Wake High; Alisa King, Wakefield Elementary; Joan Matthews, Weatherstone Elementary; Brenda Millar, Wiley Elementary; A. Melanie Murphy, Wake Forest Elementary; Peggy Ramseur, Olds Elementary; Becky Rickman, Carroll Middle; Rhonda Riggins, Olive Chapel Elementary; Tony Robinson, Cary High; Kitty Rutherford, Rand Road Elementary; Betty Vaughan, Garner High; and Kate Ziegler, Durant Road Middle.