Gravette School Board Honors Four Teachers Of The Year

— Four teachers in Gravette Schools were recognized as “Teachers of the Year” by the Gravette Board of Education. They are, from the left, Carol Sumter, pre-K teacher at Glenn Duffy Elementary; June Murray, third grade teacher in Gravette Upper Elementary; Roger Sharp, Counselor in Gravette Middle School; and Jaron Porter, Civics, Government and German teacher at Gravette High School.

Shown with the group is John Edwards, board president, who made the presentation at an assembly of faculty/staff last week. Below are remarks outlining each teacher’s achievements which led to their recognition.

Carol Sumter has been a classroom teacher in Oklahoma and Arkansas for 38 years. She has spent the most recent 10 years of her journey as a pre-kindergarten teacher at Glenn Duffy Elementary. She has been a source of expertise and encouragement for the students and staff ofthe pre-k program since its onset in 1999. Mrs. Sumter has been instrumental in developing curriculum and instructional practices that promote high expectations of student achievement. Students in her classroom are offered a wide variety of learning experiences based on free choice of activities designed to prepare students for kindergarten and to promote academic, physical and social development. Her enthusiasm for teaching and learning is evident in the ways she interacts with her students, parents and other educators. Mrs. Carol Sumter is a positive influence for our team of teachers and an asset to the development of the educational foundations of Glenn Duffy Elementary School.

June Murray has taught our gifted students for the past 13 years at Gravette Schools. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from John Brown University.Mrs. Murray does an outstanding job teaching at Gravette Upper Elementary. She currently serves on our ACSIP Team and Character Education Committee. She has attended workshops and conferences to learn new ways that she can be a more effective teacher for her students. She is a real asset to our third grade teaching team and to our district.

Roger Sharp has been employed by the Gravette School District since 1997. His primary assignment as Middle School Counselor may be difficult to distinguish because of all the other “hats” he wears. The very important job of counselor is a full time job but Roger has also assume the role of District Test Coordinator and the responsibilities of that role are formidable. He has accepted this role with the ownership of not only organizing the testing but has been instrumental in helping teachers and parents understand the performance data once the test scores come back. He has been a tremendous asset to the Gravette Middle School.

Jaron Porter is a dynamic teacher. His lessons are well prepared and they keep students engaged in learning. He uses technology and innovative methods of teaching that are a model for other teachers. He is one of our building technology trouble shooters and one of our technology trainers. His fellow teachers know that they can go to him for help and training. Mr. Porter is our Student Council sponsor and among other duties he is in charge of homecoming activities, which include parade organization, photo arrangements for the homecoming, court decorations, flowers, etc. Mr. Porter teachers AP European History, civics/government and German I and II. He has been employed by the Gravette School District since 2007.

News, Pages 1 on 06/16/2010