Accomplished Educators

Educators were named to this list by persons who read the Wake County Public School Systems electronic newsletters, the SCHOOL CONNECTION and ONLINE CONNECTION.

SCHOOL EDUCATOR RECOGNIZED BY
Bugg Elementary Beth Allen Joani Roebock - Beth teaches 3rd grade and does a fabulous job. One of the hardest things for a teacher to do is to activate all of the minds in their class; no matter what level they are on. Beth is able to accomplish this incredibly well. She challenges the upper end students without losing the lower end. She spends countless hours dedicating herself to her students and her school. Not only does she try and better her students by taking a real interest in them; she also tries to improve her teaching skills. She truly wants to be the best teacher that she can be.
Centennial Campus Middle Betty Welsh Beverly Pinion Reynolds - I have been thinking for weeks about a way to recognize a teacher who has absolutely helped to change the life of my child. I have a 14 year old at the new Centennial Campus Middle School. She has been going through a lot of normal teenage changes and emotions and some not so normal emotions in the last couple of years. I have watched teacher after teacher try to be patient, but they all sort of stopped caring after a while. My child is in an AG student and this teacher has gone above and beyond the call of duty to work with my child on her educational as well as emotional needs. Her name is Ms. Betty Welsh and she is an 8th grade teacher at Centennial. My daughter has missed a lot of school recently due to some problems and Ms. Welsh has been nothing but supportive. She has never ever given up on my child and also given me, the parent, the necessary "boosting" that I need. We e-mail one another back and forth and she keeps me up to date on how she thinks things are going. I guess I'm not doing a very good job of putting it into words but if I can just help you to understand how rare this is. It's not that we've never had a teacher that cared, but usually the caring stopped after a couple of weeks. Ms. Welsh has seen through the behavior problems and has seen the possibilities that await my daughter.
Conn Elementary Nancy Hanley Ron Whalen - Nancy Hanley from Conn Elementary School for her dedication and hard work in earning the National Board Certification.
Office of Continuing Improvement and Professional Development Dr. Deborah Manzo Gloria Lee - As a teacher and administrator I say, "Thank you to Dr. Manzo's leadership in getting the staff development courses and registration form online. This is so much more convenient for all of us. Teachers and other staff can peruse the choices at a time most convenient to them. Also, I express much gratitude for the people-principled action Dr. Manzo has taken to create "feedback cards." She actually answers each of them and posts the comments on a bulletin board in the Harriet Webster Professional Staff Development Buidling! I always read those cards when I am in the building. I respect the honesty reflected in the replies. I am grateful that when ,as participants we have needs, that they are addressed by Dr. Manzo and her department. Keep up the continous improvement! Isn't this the best of education - practicing what we preach? Dr. Manzo and her dept. do this."
Davis Drive Elementary Rhonda Potts Tracey Weigold - Rhonda Potts 1st grade teacher at Davis Drive Elementary is truly the best. She makes everyday a fun yet educational day in her classroom. Always enthusiastic, cheerful and encouraging to all students no matter what issues she is dealing with that could ruin her day. In tune to the wide levels of ability in her classroom and tailors her instruction to all these levels. Goes beyond the call of duty by her extraordinary attention to all the details. THANK YOU for making "our" year in first grade the BEST!
East Cary Middle Rochelle Guilford Pat Grainger - I would like to recognize Rochelle Guilford, CIC, Technology specialist for East Cary Middle School. Rochelle has done a great deal of work to ensure that all students at East Cary are prepared for the EOG Computer Test in 8th grade. She works with teachers in developing units similar to the examples that will be on the state test. Rochelle is always patient with students and staff members. She is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone has a thorough understanding of the advantages of technology and how technology will affect their future. She teaches short technology classes after school and on workdays to make it easy for teachers to get their technology credits. Everyone admires her knowledge, patience and expertise. East Cary is very fortunate to have such a wonderful, dedicated educator.
East Wake High Tate Gould Margo Hickman - Simply the very best Math tutor in Wake County. A very popular and talented Math teacher at East Wake High, Tate also tutors and doesn't stop when the hour is up, but stops when the concept is learned (sometimes far after an hour has passed). He is single-handedly responsible for my oldest son passing Alg II at Wake Forest High and my second son passing Algebra III. What makes this gifted teacher even more impressive is that he has been teaching a mere 3 1/2 years! Tate Gould is the best WCPSS has to offer.
Fuquay-Varina Elementary Christy Brown Mrs. Terri Roy - Mrs. Christy Brown is a 2nd grade teacher at Fuquay-Varina Elementary in Fuquay-Varina, NC. She has made our transition into the public school system so much easier. We have homeschooled until this year and our daughter entered into 2nd grade at Fuquay-Varina Elementary mid year (a month ago). It could have been a very difficult transition for her, but Mrs. Brown, with her thoughtfulness and kindness and warmth, took our daughter into her class and made her feel special and welcome. She has kept in close contact with us and put our minds at ease. She has made sure our daughter has had challenging work, helped her through the transition of bringing things home, been patient with her, and given her confidence. We really appreciate her as a GREAT teacher and thank her for helping this to be a wonderful experience.
Green Elementary Francis Mitchell Lisa Baker - I would like to have Francis Mitchell, P. E. teacher at Green Year Round Elementary recognized. I have never seen any teacher more dedicated to her job, enthusiastic towards all the children and supportive to the school. She truly loves all the children at the school and it shows! Not only does she teach all of them, she knows all of them!! She is enthusiastic for Physical Education. Her First in Fitness teams ranks very high every year at the county competition. Also, she is at every function at school and often may be the only employee represented there. She is so deserving of any recognition you could offer. If you don't personally know her, you are missing out!
Green Hope Elementary Ashli Wade Linda Hayduk - I would like to recognize Miss Wade, a kindergarten teacher at Green Hope Elementary. Miss Wade has had the challenging task of teaching a group of students just starting out in school, in a brand new school. She quickly set up a routine that made the kids comfortable and confident in their new environment. The children have learned values, as well as an amazing amount of reading, writing, math, science, geography, cooking, art... My son goes to school excited every day! He loves his teacher, and all his new school friends, and he loves to learn. What a great start! Thank you, Miss Wade
Hilburn Road Elementary Ms. Willms
and Mrs. Fisher		 Erick Benson - I would like to recognize Ms. Willms and her assistant Mrs. Fisher of Hilburn Road Elementary. My second grade daughter continues to be challenged by these educators. She explains and uses such information as scientific-proof, words as "discombobulated" and varied math facts. I feel she is getting a well rounded education in a healthy and caring environment. My thanks and appreciation to Ms. Willms and Mrs. Fisher.
Sanderson High Cindi Crabtree Renata McAdams - I would like to recognize Cynthia (Cindi) Crabtree, 9th grade English teacher at Sanderson High School. Her dedication and devotion to teaching is an inspiration to students, other teachers and parents. Kids leaving her 9th grade class come away with an above level knowledge of grammar and writing skills. Mrs. Crabtree is always available after school hours to help students and has always been accessible to speak to parents. Her dedication and devotion is not only in the classroom. Her involvement with the Key Club and teacher mentoring is more than commendable.
Southeast Raleigh High Gwen Brown Margo Hickman - Mrs. Brown is an English teacher at Southeast Raleigh High and was also my twins' Academic Coach, a concept that has special meaning at SRHS. Not just a 'homeroom teacher', Ms. Brown actually mentored and became a 'second mom' to her AC kids, so much so that they bought her a school T-shirt saying, "Second Mom". Indeed, she is precisely that: she loves those kids like their parents do and takes the responsibility of seeing them mature from 9-12 grade very seriously. Although my twins have transferred to their base school, they regard Ms. Brown as the one thing they miss most. She encouraged, loved, and taught them the lessons of life, although that sometimes meant she had one-on-one chats about motivation, striving for the best you can be, etc. She will continue to be one of the most influential persons in my childrens' lives.
Kristin Mewborne Margo Hickman - Ms. Mewborne is like the Ever-Ready Battery Rabbit: she keeps going and going and going. Just a little slip of a woman, she's a dynamo of tireless action but never tires of helping kids. Her gift is that she makes time for all parents and all students, and treats all with the highest respect. She was an English Teacher, a cheerleading Coach (a really thankless job) and regarded each student as the most important of the moment. She is never "off-duty" and is constantly giving 100%, long after others have gone home to bed.
Pernando Weatherhead Margo Hickman - Ms. Weatherhead is a Special Program Assistant at Southeast Raleigh High, never an easy job. I have found Ms. Weatherhead to be, without hesitation, the most positive, encouraging employee I have ever had the privilege of knowing in the entire school system; this is no small thing as I have had 3 children in a total of 8 schools! She is fond of saying all children, no matter how difficult, are simply "diamonds in the rough"; she is, indeed, a gem herself!
Stough Elementary Brenda Johnson Yvonne W. Wyche - I would like to recognize Brenda Johnson, first grade teacher at Stough Elementary. My son was in her first grade class last year. Known by staff, parents and students as "Mrs. J", she is a parent's dream of the perfect first grade teacher. She started the year off just right by calling our home and leaving a personal message for our son that he would be in her class and inviting him to come in to meet her and the assistant prior to the beginning of school. After talking to several parents, I learned she had personally attempted contacting each child to make the same invitation to all. When he walked in the door that day, she already knew his name. She had done her homework and knew something about each child before school had even started. Once the school year got started, we knew our son was in the right class. She quickly assessed each child and started challenging them from day one. She was able to motivate each of them to ensure they met their fullest potential. It only took me a few visits in her classroom as a parent volunteer to see that she had the respect and attention of each child in her class. Additionally I could see that students she has taught in previous years continue to come visit her classroom at the beginning and end of the school day...they all love and respect "Mrs. J". She truly goes well beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of her students and to work with the parents. She never failed to recognize and thank classroom volunteers. She always tried to accommodate working parents when schedule parent-teacher conferences. She always is pleasant and brings out the best in her students.
Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle Willie Jordan I am the head custodian of Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle school. The best educator in my school has to be Willie Gordon. In the short time he has been here, he has earned the respect of the staff and students here. He teaches drama and language arts I have seen students who are somewhat shy and have low self esteem, just glow with pride because he has shown them how to put everything into their acting. I went to the play and took my granddaughter. A lot of the staff came. It was hard to believe they were only middle school children. He had transformed them into actors. Mr. Gordon also gives his time a lot of nights. He was there till 7:00 p.m. He also gave his own money to buy things to build props. He also has respect for what I do. He made the children clean up after themselves and told them it was not my job. Because of him, the children also treated me with respect and were overly polite when I was around.
West Lake Elementary Ashley Donnell David and Jane McNeill - Mrs. Ashley Donnell is a kindergarten teacher at West Lake Elementary. First impressions are lasting ones, and starting the children off having fun and enjoying school will aid the many years to follow. She is enthusiastic. She shows patience with all the children. She is very creative with centers, such as writing, listening, counting, making crafts, etc. Centers are always directed in a fun way with the children's own creativity as the end result. She is not only a teacher, but also like a mother to these children for over six hours a day that they are in her care. Her students are nicknamed "Bumble Bees". To get their attention she softly announces "Bumble Bees freeze". They quickly stop what they are doing and turn their eyes on the queen bee - Mrs. Donnell. We appreciate the manner in which the children respect her and show obedience to her. She enforces manners and words of kindness among the students. We appreciate the way she keeps the parents informed with a weekly newsletter, "Buzzing with News". She also makes the parents feel welcome in her classroom at any time and a part of their child's education. We feel she truly loves each student. She hugs them, listens to them, shows concern to each one of them, and always has a smile on her face. She enjoys her teaching profession. We definitely feel blessed to have Ashley Donnell as our daughter's first teacher.
West Lake Middle Suzanne Letchworth Karen Summers - West Lake Middle School has an outstanding educator that we would like to see recognized. Her name is Suzanne Letchworth. Below is a brief description of her talents as a math teacher: teaching 20 plus years, Nationally Board Certified this month, EOC scores for Algebra I this past year indicated all A's and 1 B, Team Leader, Department Chair for Math, Provides tutoring in A.M. and P.M., Beyond the call of duty to ensure student success, Hard but fair teacher, Substantial influence in the community, Advocates for all students, does not leave anyone behind.
Wildwood Forest Elementary Del Lancaster Joyce Millard - I would like to recognize Mr. Del Lancaster, Kindergarten teacher at Wildwood Forest Elementary School. Mr. Del (as his students know him) is a compassionate and energetic teacher who is truly a great educator. He cares so much for these children and works very hard, along with his equally wonderful assistant Mrs. Connie Wright, to ensure that these children have an outstanding first school experience. I think as parents, we take for granted all of the time and hard work that the teachers and assistants contribute. Mr. Del 's enthusiasm for teaching and for truly caring about our children learning all that they can should be an example to us all. My daughter has learned so much and looks forward to school each day due to the learning, love and nurturing she receives from her wonderful teachers.
Zebulon Elementary Jane Strickland Lisa Markland - Jane is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. She is a teacher that loves her students and is willing to give it her all to make sure that each student is getting what he/she needs. The children that are more challenging, like my son, she works with and tries different things to help them to be successful. She wants them to understand what is expected of them, even if what is expected is not the "norm" for that child. She wants all of her children to feel the joy of succeeding and makes sure that happens. She is a great asset to our school and our community.

You may Recognize an Educator by contacting Bill Poston at bposton@wcpss.net. You can find the School Connection at http://www.wcpss.net/online_newsletters/the_school_connection/

You may also want to visit Recognizing Success.