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Teachers of Excellence Winners
2010-2011 Teachers of Excellence Winners
A “Teacher of Excellence” is one that is exceptionally dedicated,
knowledgeable and skilled in the teaching field.
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Eloise Lynch
Reading Specialist
Brooks Global Studies Entended-Year Magnet School
Eloise Lynch began her teaching career more than 35 years ago as a fourth grade teacher. Eager to help her students learn, she decided to pursue a specialization in reading “after becoming discouraged by the wide range of reading levels that were in her class.” She went back to school to earn her masters degree in reading, eventually becoming a reading specialist.
An active member of her community, Mrs. Lynch volunteers as a member of the PTA for Brooks Global Studies. She is also a member of the Literacy Audit Team, the Data Team and many other organizations. Teachers like Mrs. Lynch are not only teachers, they are inspirations and mentors to others. |
Matthew Rohring
5th Grade Teacher
Gold Hill Elementary
Matthew Rohring is deserving of the Teachers of Excellence award because of his continued dedication to his profession. Working as a fifth grade teacher since 2006, not only is Mr. Rohring passionate about helping his students become successful, but he is also committed to helping his peers. He is currently serving as a mentor and has also served on the staff development for the MAP testing and the Computer Odyssey computer program.
Outside of class, Mr. Rohring is the Coach of the varsity boys’ and girls’ tennis teams at Nations Ford High School. He spends countless hours of his own time being active with the PTA and other fundraisers for the school, including car washes and blood drives. In addition, he goes above and beyond to make sure he builds a relationship with all of his students each year. Mrs. Terry Brewer, Principal of Gold Hill Elementary, describes Mr. Rohring as professional, dedicated, multi-talented, and on the cutting edge of the education.
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Nikki Martel
3rd Grade Teacher
Greenbrier Intermediate School
Ms. Martel has been teaching elementary education since 1997, and she has been with Greenbrier Intermediate School since 2003. She is a third grade teacher who believes in creating challenging lesson plans for her students in the classroom. In addition, she will do whatever it takes to be available for parents who may have a concern. Reading is her strength, and she believes “reading is the foundation for all academics; students must be provided with the strategies to become fluent and confident readers. Reading is an essential element that citizens must posses in order to meet the demands of a competitive society.”
When Ms. Martel is not in the classroom, she is busy volunteering for the school or furthering her education. She is an active member of the PTA, and a mother of three children who keep her very busy between school and sports. In addition to managing her busy schedule, Ms. Martel attends graduate school and maintains a 4.0 GPA. |
Karen Oliver
1st and 2nd Grade Teacher for the Hearing Impaired
Erwin Montessori
Ms. Oliver has been teaching hearing impaired students since 1988, and she has been with Erwin Montessori since 2003. Currently, she teaches first and second grade reading to hearing impaired students. With a unique style of teaching, Ms. Oliver allows her children to pursue their own personal interest once they have completed their assignments. You will always see students up and moving around in her class. They are responsible for getting their own supplies, helping them learn how to be independent. In addition, Ms. Oliver is full of creative ideas. She continues to pilot new programs, and she is currently working on a new literacy development program for Café 5 and Daily 5 Book Club.
Ms. Oliver is an instrumental teacher at Erwin Montessori. Playing many different roles as a teacher and mentor towards her students and peers, Ms. Oliver has earned the trust of many people. She is known as a valued member of the team whose opinion is always highly respected. This is just one of the reasons why Harris Teeter selected Ms. Oliver to receive our Teacher of Excellence Award!
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Victoria MacQueen
Occupational Course Study Teacher
Green Hope High School
Ms. MacQueen is an Occupational Course Study teacher who has always made it a point to get her students involved in the total school environment, which includes student clubs and activities. She is one of the most caring teachers, who wants her students to receive a normal high school experience. Ms. MacQueen has also been an active leader for many projects at Green Hope. With her leadership, the school received a grant for $500 to purchase equipment, and she also assisted in creating a recycling program.
In addition to being involved in many aspects of Green Hope, Ms. MacQueen is also involved in her community. For more than seven years, she has been a leader for her daughter's Girl Scout troop, and for three years, a merit badge counselor for her son's Boy Scout troop. Ms. MacQueen's leadership in and out of the classroom is what makes her a Teacher of Excellence! |
Linda Horvath
High School German Language Teacher
Providence High School
Ms. Horvath has 20 years of teaching experience with 18 years in her present position. Currently, she teaches German II, III, IV and AP German V. She is also a certified Mentor for grades 9-12. Throughout her years as a German language teacher, Ms. Horvath has continually looked for ways to engage and challenge her students to take learning to the next level.
Ms. Horvath also spends countless hours of her own time educating students outside of the classroom. She is a tutor and also runs the German Club, which is one of the largest clubs at Providence High School. Over the last 10 years, she has also organized the Student Exchange Program with the city of Krefeld, Germany. Needless to say Ms. Horvath is an extremely active member of Providence High School, and that's why she is a Teacher of Excellence!
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Jennifer Dobbins
1st Grade Teacher
Western Union Elementary
Ms. Dobbins is a first grade teacher who is devoted to improving our education system. Early on in her career, it took one child to open Jennifer’s eyes and heart to a special group of children and that is the reason she opted to teach Special Education. She wants everyone to know that every child is an individual who has a potential to learn, grow and achieve successes to the best of their ability. Her goal is to see that all children are treated equally with the love and respect they deserve.
During her 17 years of teaching, she has also been a member of eight committees at the school, including the Social Committee, Site-Based Committee and Wellness Committee. Outside of school, she stays active with other committees, including PTO. It’s this type of involvement in the school and in the community that truly makes her a Teacher of Excellence! |
Lynn Church
High School Math Teacher
Caldwell Academy
Ms. Church has more than 24 years of teaching experience with 12 years in her present position. Currently, she teaches high school math. Ms. Church inspires students to learn because she meets them where they are, finding alternate ways of explaining concepts for students who are struggling. She also works to teach her students that helping each other learn mathematical concepts improves the skill of all involved.
Ms. Church is not only focused on investing in her students and her fellow teachers, but she is also a dedicated community servant as a professional, a church member and a mother. She is not a teacher who is done at 4 p.m., but a community servant who uses her dynamic energy to connect with students outside of the classroom. This is why she's a Teacher of Excellence!
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Kathy Caudill
Physical Education Teacher
Pearre Creek Elementary
Ms. Caudill is a physical education teacher with 13 years experience. Her greatest contribution to education is an overall commitment to student health, fitness and personal character. She utilizes each instructional moment with a student and encourages physical activity, nutrition and character education traits beyond the classroom.
Early in her career, Ms. Caudill was involved with Special Olympics and developed adaptive equipment for children with physical disabilities deeming these children no less physically able than the typically developing children. She is respected by professional peers, parents, administrators and former students. She has been a voice for physical fitness during a time when physical education is often not valued within a school system and this is why she's deserving of the Teacher of Excellence Award! |
Craig Lazarski
High School Math and Statistics Teacher
Middle Creek High School
Mr. Lazarski has 7 years of teaching experience with 6 years in his present position. Currently, he teaches high school math and statistics. Mr. Lazarski has contributed to the advancement of math education in various ways, including the Math Instruction using Decision Science and Engineering Tools (MINDSET) program. MINDSET is a collaboration between educators, engineers and mathematicians at three universities to create, implement and evaluate a new mathematics curriculum and textbook. Mr. Lazarski's role in the program has been to evaluate trial materials, participate in project training, and implement and evaulate the of chapters of the new textbook.
Mr. Lazarski believes that students entering college and the workforce must also be able to use technology efficiently and effectively. He encourages his students to use a variety of tools such as Internet searching, online assessments, message boards, and word processing applications. By using these tools, students become prepared for college and future employment. It's because of his dedication to his students and profession that Mr. Lazarski is a Teacher of Excellence!
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