[field name=TOY11video]
The 2011-2012 Teachers of the Year were recognized at the annual luncheon on September 21, 2011 at Laurel Ridge Country Club. Congratulations to Stephen Parris, teacher of band, music appreciation, and computer skills at Bethel Middle School, who was selected as the 2011-12 Haywood County Schools Teacher of the Year.
In his Teacher of the Year portfolio, Mr. Parris shares how he developed a love for teaching and learning. As a junior high student, he had decided to become a doctor. Thrilled with the idea of helping sick people, he started collecting books for his future library and purchased a copy of GRAY’S ANATOMY from one of the book clubs advertised in the middle of the TV GUIDE.
However, plans changed, and Mr. Parris met a teacher who had a tremendous influence on him. The teacher, Mr. Sandy Boone, had a contagious attitude and a passion for pure teaching. Mr. Parris later became a member of Tuscola’s marching band – such an honor for an upcoming 9th grader. Following after school rehearsals with Mr. Boone and Mr. Jim Crocker, band competitions and Friday night football, he was hooked. Forget being a doctor, he had to be a band teacher.
Mr. Parris states, “I have tried to emulate the best qualities of these influential teachers; know your content area, motivate and inspire your students, care for all your students, believe all your students are important. All of the teachers I know, including myself, work incredibly hard. We obviously don’t do it for the pay. We do it because we love students and know we are touching lives. To resolve the sometimes negative perception of elected officials and the community, we need to communicate with parents, community members, lawmakers and anyone else who will listen that bubbles and EVAAS do not define us. The impact we have on the lives of our students and our ability to determine the best way to help each student reach their potential is the only true test of effective teachers.”
Haywood County Schools congratulates all our Teachers of the Year: Alma Wells, Bethel Elementary; Stephen Parris, Bethel Middle; Cyndi Margiotta, Canton Middle; Kathy Swanger, Central Elementary; Lori Fox, Central Haywood High; Karin Waldrop, Clyde Elementary; Doug Hanson, Haywood Early College; Carol Clarke, Hazelwood Elementary; Laura Abbe, Jonathan Valley Elementary; Robyn Pressley, Junaluska Elementary; Elizabeth Swanger, Meadowbrook Elementary; Jonathan Schleifer, North Canton Elementary; Cyrena Goodwin, Pisgah High; Holly Cable, Riverbend Elementary; Randy Pressley, Tuscola High; and Dayna Gerlach, Waynesville Middle.