Four Beginning WCPSS Teachers Honored with Diane Kent-Parker 1st Year Teacher Award
May 13, 2010 - Four first-year Wake County Public School System teachers have been honored with the Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher Award.The four are Niki Britt of Reedy Creek Elementary, Karen Hall of Aversboro Elementary, Lindsey Evans of Apex Middle and Preston Williams, Jr. of Middle Creek High. The teachers were recognized during the Wake County Teacher of the Year celebration.
Niki Britt is a Title 1 Math Teacher at Reedy Creek Elementary. All day, every day, Britt is all about the children. Whether it’s volunteering at school to set up a science camp or tutoring program, or working at a local learning center, Britt’s days are filled with providing support to those who need it most. Her enthusiastic and caring attitude is infectious, and she has the wonderful ability to make the students want to stay well beyond the class bell.
Karen Hall is a 2nd Grade Teacher at Aversboro Elementary. Hall’s warm and inviting classroom rivals that of a thirty-year veteran. She effectively uses her background in special education to meet the needs of the diverse learners in her room. Through her hard work and dedication, Hall has quietly established herself as a valuable resource for the Aversboro staff and community. She is the teacher that other educators want their children to have.
Lindsey Evans is an 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher at Apex Middle. Evans does an amazing job of incorporating technology and integrating teaching strategies into her lessons every day. She does a wonderful job of making the content meaningful and fun for her students by using blogs, music videos, and various other media. What contributes to Evans’ success as a first year teacher is that she is continuously improving her skills while creating positive life-long memories for her students each day.
Preston Williams, Jr. is an English Teacher at Middle Creek High. Williams is truly a model of success for his students. He was a member of Middle Creek’s first graduating class, went on to graduate from college with high honors while completing the NC Teaching Fellows Program, and then returned to teach and coach at his high school alma mater. Williams’ leadership skills inside and outside of the classroom make him a tremendous asset to Middle Creek High.
Each recipient will receive an acrylic award and a $50 dollar gift certificate to The Angus Barn, compliments of The Angus Barn and our corporate sponsors.
Diane Kent-Parker’s sister and brother attended the ceremony for the presentation of the award.
Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher Award
The Wake County Public School System Diane Kent-Parker First-Year Teacher Award recognizes outstanding first-year elementary, middle, and high school teachers who are nominated by their principals and schools and have shown significant professional success during their first year of teaching. Selection committee members then review the nominations and conduct interviews to select two winners from the elementary school level, one from the middle school level, and one from the high school level to receive this prestigious award.
Kent-Parker passed away unexpectedly in May 2006. Kent-Parker had served as the WCPSS Human Resources Department Senior Director for Teacher Recruitment and Retention. Her job was to fill Wake County classrooms with great teachers and she worked tirelessly at it. She died on the day that WCPSS held its 2006 Spring Job Fair attracting 1,600 certified teachers who were interested in coming to work in Wake County.
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