SE Raleigh High Teacher Earns Top Honors

A Southeast Raleigh High teacher has been named Wake County Teacher of the Year. Sofi Frankowski, praised for her "vigor, flair for teaching, and the inspiration she imparts," was one of seven finalists considered for the school system's top teaching honor, awarded at a celebration of teaching excellence at Cary's Embassy Suites Hotel.

Ms. Frankowski receives a prize package worth thousands, including an IBM Thinkpad computer, the use of a new Saturn automobile for a year, two American Airlines tickets, a $1,000 check from Central Carolina Bank, and a host of gift certificates from area businesses.

In her application for Teacher of the Year, her colleagues praise her for her welcoming smile and comforting words that make her approachable to all students.

Ms. Frankowski writes, "I teach because I care about social justice, because the world does not yet treat all people fairly, because I love kids, because teaching challenges me intellectually, emotionally, and physically, because I was incredibly fortunate to have good teachers, because teaching helps me be the kind of person I want to be, and because I believe Marian Wright Edelman when she says, 'Service is the rent we pay for living.' In short, I teach because it allows me to work for the change I want to see in the world."

She has been teaching at Southeast Raleigh High for two years and has been a teacher for 10 years.

Leadership MOSAIC (Making Our School An Inclusive Community) is a class that Ms. Frankowski created and developed as a history teacher in California. The effort was recognized by the President's initiative on Race as one of the nation's Promising Practices. Now, Ms. Frankowski teaches the class at Southeast Raleigh High. This year, the student-led class organized a school lock-in devoted to learning about other cultures, a forum about the Islamic religion, and an afternoon of festivities for the entire school to become more aware of their outside world.

She is certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). She facilitates a National Board applicant support group. She participated in the WCPSS yearlong seminar 'Conversations about Diversity.' Ms. Frankowski is mentoring an Initially Licensed Teacher in social studies and a student teacher from NC State University. She also serves as a Southeast Raleigh High Lighthouse Beacon, offering others assistance with technology.

Southeast Raleigh High principal John Modest writes, "Her enthusiasm, her innovation, and her genuine concern for history are the hallmarks of her teaching genius. Ms. Frankowski's flexibility in working with students and teachers and her profound belief that all students can be successful have earned her the enviable reputation as an excellent teacher who truly cares about people."

Wake County's Teacher of the Year will go on to compete in the North Carolina Teacher of the Year program. Last year's Wake County winner was Cecilie Lewis, a Centennial Campus Middle teacher.

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

Local businesses support the effort through donations of cash and prizes. School PTAs serve a critically important roleÑfrom buying banquet tickets for their school to organizing events to honor their school's Teacher of the Year nominee.

The remaining six finalists are Jill W. Cottengim, Garner High; Carol Dukes, Broughton High; Cheryl Marshall, Davis Drive Elementary; Sara Overby, Athens Drive High; James C. Thomas, West Millbrook Middle; and, Patricia Williams, Wakefield Middle.

The finalists will receive a $500 cash prize from CCB and an array of other gifts and gift certificates.