The school year is rapidly drawing to a close, and the Lowndes County School District is busy giving appreciation to its unsung heroes — the administrators, teachers, and parents who sacrifice their time to the education and enrichment of children.
Last Friday, the Board honored West Lowndes Elementary School principal Robert Sanders as administrator of the year.
Sanders, who has been principal since 2005, was credited with helping West Lowndes achieve a “successful school” rating from the Mississippi Department of Education last year.
The rating is part of MDE”s school accountability model, which compares schools nationwide and ranks them from best to worst. According to the standards, schools designated as successful meet the national average.
In 2009, West Lowndes Elementary was ranked at risk of failing.
“I believe our growth is mostly attributed to a total commitment to achievement and a total buy-in from our staff, our parents, and our students,” Sanders said in a district press release. “Having an entire faculty and staff … that”s dedicated to educating students is a blessing and definitely another important key to our growth.”
The board also recognized New Hope High School”s Kathryn Soule as the Lowndes County teacher of the year, a designation that seeks to recognize teachers who inspire students, demonstrate leadership, and are active members of the community.
Soule, who has taught mathematics at New Hope for the past four years, was praised by school administrators for her “seemingly effortless professionalism” as well as her compassion for students.
The district also named teachers of the year for each school.
The 2010-2011 winners are: Becky Gardner, Caledonia Elementary; Melissa Holley, Caledonia Middle School; Rita Luna, Caledonia High School; JoLynn Robertson, New Hope Elementary; Eric Guerrero, New Hope Middle School; Kathryn Soule, New Hope High School; Tammera Buchanan, West Lowndes Elementary; Carla Henry, West Lowndes Middle School; and Rosa Davis, West Lowndes High School.
This year”s LCSD parent of the year is Tracy Kugel.
Kugel, who works as a substitute teacher and volunteer at Caledonia High School, was praised for spearheading a number of athletics initiatives, including writing grants and beginning a monthly sports booster community luncheon. She was also recognized for her dedication to tutoring students in core subject areas critical for passing the graduation exam.
The 2010-2011 parents of the year for each school are: Kim Hemphill, Caledonia Elementary; Tim Sewell, Caledonia Middle School; Tracy Kugel, Caledonia High School; Sandy Robinson, New Hope Elementary; Jennifer Caldwell, New Hope Middle School; Angela Davis, New Hope High School; Ruby Wright, West Lowndes Elementary; Tameka Rice, West Lowndes Middle School; and Latossia Clark, West Lowndes High School.
In other news, LCSD presented plaques to Venetia Oglesby and Amy Weldon, teachers at New Hope Elementary, and Heather Henry, a teacher at Caledonia Elementary, for receiving National Board certification.
National Board certification is an advanced teaching credential achieved by undergoing a voluntary, performance-based assessment program.
The application process includes teaching portfolios, student work samples, videotapes, and analyses of classroom teaching as well as written tests designed to gauge content knowledge. Candidates are reviewed by trained peers.
LCSD now has 43 National Board-certified teachers.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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