Nancy Merrell Named Mecklenburg County Teacher of the Year 2008-2009
The Mecklenburg County Public Schools Teacher of the Year and Elementary School Teacher of the Year winner for 2009-2010 school year is Nancy Merrel an instructional consultation teacher at South Hill Elementary School.
Dr. Jerry Congleton, the school system’s assistant-superintendent of instruction, presented awards to Merrel and to the high school and middle school Teachers of the Year.
Congleton said that when Merrel was deciding on an education she had a choice between becoming an educator or a professional singer.
“Today we are thankful that Nancy Merrel made a decision to become an educator,” Congleton said. “Mrs. Merrel, like many of us attributes her decision to becoming an educator by an educator; her third grade teacher Mrs. McClintock. As an ICT facilitator Mrs. Merrel works in collaboration with other educational professionals to collect data and to use the data to drive instruction by matching best practices with a students learning style.”
He said Merrel was also a member of the county’s autism training team where she works with others to share new interventions and resources with teachers and parents.
Congleton said the community involvement of Merrel does not stop with just being a teacher. He said she serves as the coordinator for various service projects, such as: Trinity Community Learning Center, Shriner’s Hospital soda can tab collection, Toys for Tots, and the St. Jude Mathathon.
After being named the Teacher of the Year and presented with a special plaque, Merrel said, “Thank you so much. There is a saying we got from Boydton Elementary School ‘It takes a community to raise a child.’ It also takes a community to raise a good teacher. It is everyone working together to do that job to make the teacher better every year.”
Merrel thanked the Mecklenburg County School Board for their support, and for the guidance of Helen Hill, the school system’s superintendent; the central office staff, the administrators and fellow faculty and staff members. She thanked her fellow teachers at South Hill Elementary School for their teamwork and she thanked the families of all teachers for their support and the community for supporting the schools and the Mecklenburg County Business Education Partnership.
“I will represent Mecklenburg County very, very proudly, thank you very much,” Merrel said.
High School Teacher of the Year
The High School Teacher of the Year is Wendy Kidd an English teacher at Park View High School. Congleton said Kidd was a lifelong educator.
“Ms. Kidd continues to expand her knowledge by getting her Master’s Degree in gifted education, completing staff development opportunities both locally, online, and outside the district,” Congleton said. “Married to a military man Ms. Kidd has experienced the “new teacher” several times. This has afforded her the opportunity to learn new ideas and share what she has learned from across the country.
“When asked what means the most to you, she replies, ‘the appreciation of her former students, the respect of fellow faculty members and the confidence of her administrators.
“Through the years and the moves from one air force community to another, Ms. Kidd has noted the needs of her community and used her talents to enrich the lives of those she touches.
“Ms. Kidd has worked with the medical group spouses club, Columbus Community Arts Council, and the Officers Club Scholarship Chairperson. She also works with Relay for Life and volunteers with the Clarksville Dixie Youth Baseball concession stand,” Congleton said.
Middle School Teacher of the Year
The Middle School Teacher of the Year winner is Stephanie Neal, an 8th grade civics and reading teacher at Bluestone Middle School.
Congleton said, “In kindergarten Ms. Neal wrote a paper titled “What I want to be when I grow up,” her answer, a teacher. Ms. Neal always knew she wanted to be a teacher. If you walk into Ms. Neal’s classroom you will find an organized and orderly environment where distractions are kept to a minimum, where children enjoy working together and independently.
“Ms. Neal uses a variety of teaching techniques to meet the needs of all learners. She believes an effective classroom teacher must effectively manage his or her own classroom. She models a classroom where learning is a priority and discipline issues are kept at a minimum.
“Ms. Neal is also currently continuing her education with a Master’s program in educational leadership through Longwood University.
“She is a teacher at Hikesburg Baptist Church and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She also serves her community as a volunteer for a youth summer softball league,” Congleton said.
Teachers recognized received a glass apple for their desk, which said, “Mecklenburg County Public Schools 2009-2010 (elementary, middle school, or high school) teacher of the year.”
Teachers also received a certificate and a plaque recognizing them in their perspective schools.
The Mecklenburg County Business Education Partnership paid for the plaques that the teachers received.
Congleton said each year the schools select a teacher of the year. Then in a blind selection where the teacher’s names and schools are removed from their applications and the elementary, middle school, and high school winners are selected and from among those three teachers a committee selects a Teacher of the Year for the school system.
School Board members Robert Puryear, Sandra Tanner and Joan Wagstaff congratulated the teachers. Wagstaff said, “It is good to see teachers who are looking at the students as individuals and helping them reach their individual potential.”