posted March 1, 2007
Three Hamilton County teachers will be given the royal treatment for a day, as they serve as the queens of education in the community.
Allison Roberts, from Barger Academy, Julie Fine, from Snow Hill Elementary and Pamela Rector from Red Bank High School were named 2007 HCDE Tennessee Teachers of the Year. Ms. Roberts is the elementary (K-4) representative, Ms. Fine the middle school representative (grades 5-8) and Ms. Rector represents the high schools (grades 9-12).
To celebrate their accomplishments, the three teachers will ride in a limousine to 212 Market Restaurant on Friday, March 9 for a special recognition luncheon. The luxury ride and lunch are hosted by Ray Barr, president and owner of United Service Associates in Athens.
“This is a wonderful day and we are very happy to be able to honor our best and brightest teachers for their dedication to our students,“ said Charlene Becker, Director of Secondary Instruction, who coordinates the awards. “These three educators have dedicated themselves to our community’s youth and they deserve this recognition and so much more.”
Following are highlights of the 2007 Hamilton County Schools Teachers of the Year:
Allison Roberts, Library Media Specialist, Barger Academy of Fine arts, Grades K-4 Division
•26 year teaching veteran
•18 years teaching in TN public schools (Sequatchie and Hamilton Counties)
•seven years at Barger Academy – Library Media Specialist
•BA from Emory and Henry College
•Masters – UTC
•MLIS – University of South Carolina
•Member of several education associations and professional organizations
•Member of Tennessee Library Association and Tennessee and American Association of School Librarians (past president of TN Association of School Librarians)
•Extensive Community involvement including Education Team Chair at her church on Signal Mountain, supporting Allied Arts, United Way and Chattanooga Cares, organized and operated Scholastic Book Fairs
•Performs in the local community theater including Camelot and State Fair
•“Believe it or not, I have always wanted to be a teacher,” Ms. Roberts said. “I have a love and passion for helping people, especially children.”
•“I have a passion for learning and helping others to learn. I know everyone is different and learns differently,” she said. “We have our own learning styles. I want to be able to help children find their style, work with their strengths and help them be successful.”
•“Everything I do at school is centered around others. My style is one of enthusiasm, flexibility, understanding, nurturing and being resourceful,” she said. “My school’s needs come before my own. We are in the business of teaching of supporting students. I take this to heart.”
•“Ms. Roberts has an advanced knowledge of curriculum, which enables her to choose materials for the media center that engage students and directly enhance and enrich learning,“ Barger Academy Principal Caitlin Sims said in her recommendation letter. “She collaborates with teachers daily, supports school-wide and grade-level thematic unit planning and includes teachers and students in the selection of media resources.”
Julie Fine, 5th Grade Science/Reading, Snow Hill Elementary, Grades 5-8 Division
•25 year veteran of teaching
•25 years teaching in TN public Schools
•nine years at Snow Hill Elementary
•Bachelor’s Degree/Master’s of Education – UTC
•Member of National Science Teachers Association
•Member of Education Associations and Professional organizations
•Served as district-wide Science trainer 2001-2006
•Served as district Science Fair Coordinator 1998- present
•Active member of church, Snow Hill PTA, Harrison Ruritan Club
•Supporter of Blood Assurance program, Kids on the Block, AAA Women’s Center and Race for the Cure
•“Recently a colleague asked me if I could imagine myself doing any other profession besides teaching. My answer was a quick and emphatic, “No!” Ms. Fine said. “I have come to the conclusion that teaching is not what I do. But teacher is who I am.”
•“I love the different aspects about curriculum and about each age group from Kindergarten to College students and even teachers in training,” she said. “My children tease me saying that I simply take advantage of the situation when people are made to sit down and listen to me!”
•”I believe that all children can learn and will achieve when held to high standards. We must first find the level at which they are performing and then outline a plan for achievement,” she said. “I also believe that children learn best when engaged in meaningful activities.”
•“As a classroom teacher, I believe that high standards should be established for each child,” Ms. Fine said. “I also believe that students need to take ownership in their learning by realizing that their level of performance depends a great deal on their willingness to work.”
•“The rewards of teaching are innumerable. Despite all the controversies surrounding public education, I would still encourage young people who have a heart for children and a desire to teach to enter the profession,” she said. “It gives me great joy to see children involved in the learning process.”
•“She is always trying to find new ways to help her students learn and love learning,” Snow Hill Elementary Principal Billie Jenno said in her letter of recommendation. “She has a unique insight into each student’s individual needs and helps develop self-esteem, responsibility and emotional traits that cannot be measured by an academic assessment. Yet, her students consistently achieve the highest performance levels. She is highly respected by staff, parents and students because she inspires all to work to their highest potential.”
Pamela McGaha Rector, English teacher, Red Bank High School, Grades 9-12 Division
•32 year veteran of teaching
•32 years teaching in TN public schools
•26 years at Red Bank High School
•Co-lead teacher of Teaching Academy at RBHS (which won 2006 Career Academy of the Year)
•Bachelor’s Degree from UTC
•Master’s in Education from Tusculum College
•Member of several professional educational organizations
•Leader in professional development, locally and at the state and national levels
•Involved in National World Changers construction projects since 1999
•Involved in her local church, READ Chattanooga, Room at the Inn Women’s Shelter, Ronald McDonalds House, Boy Scouts, Chattanooga Theatre Center and Community Kitchen
•“For as long as I can remember, I have been a teacher,” Ms. Rector said. “ There was never any doubt about what I wanted to do with my life – I wanted to be a school teacher.”
•“I believe teaching is a calling,” she said. “I truly believe that good teachers have something special, a drive that they cannot deny. They need to share their knowledge and to share their lives.”
•“Of course, expert knowledge is an absolute necessity for an excellent teacher. Even if one has the ability and the gift to teach, one must have a well-developed knowledge base to share with the student,” Ms. Rector said. “I am a firm believer that everyone, especially teachers, must be life-long learners who are constantly enhancing their knowledge through reading, research and review.”
•“Above all, I believe that teacher is the most rewarding of all professions. As has been said so often, the rewards are most often intrinsic, but their value is priceless,” she said. “As I look back over my career and ahead to its future, I am honored as I consider the lives I have had the opportunity to share. I have love many, and, in turn, some have truly loved me. What could be a richer reward?”
•“Even though she is considered a tough teacher, Pam is also the most popular teacher at her high school. Because students know she cares for them, they are willing to work hard to meet her high expectations,” her recommendation letter states. ”Her classes are open to students with less than stellar averages, but they perform for her as if they were stellar students. There is magic in her classroom!”
•“The most outstanding trait of Pam Rector is her passion for students and the content she teaches,” the recommendation letter reads. “This passion inspires and motivates students and colleagues.”
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