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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October’s Winner - Debra Geller
Special Education Teacher
Farmwell Station Middle School
When asked what makes Ms. Gellar stand out, it is said that she is a team player and a mentor to the teachers and students at Farmwell Station Middle. The creation of the Taking Care of Business Homework Club and extra hours spent daily at the school to ensure the students have the best learning opportunity are reasons why Harris Teeter has selected Ms. Gellar as a Teacher of Excellence. |
November's Winner - Kristin Beth Horner
Physical Education Teacher
Myers Park Traditional School
When asked what makes Ms. Horner standout, it is said that she goes above and beyond to help students understand the importance of physical activity and how important it is to make healthy food choices. Ms. Horner also helps raise thousands of dollars each year through the Jump Rope for Your Heart Campaign. The extra efforts that Ms. Horner dedicates towards helping children live a healthy lifestyle is the reason Harris Teeter has selected Ms. Horner as a “Teacher of Excellence”. |
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December's Winner - Josephine Hoover
Mathematics Teacher
Carmel Middle School
Josephine has been a mathematics teacher for 33 years and has spent the last 24 years at Carmel Middle School. During her time at Carmel Middle School she has been recognized on 10 separate occasions for her efforts in education and beyond. Josephine Hoover, you are admired by your students and your peers for all that you do. The extra time and efforts that you dedicate towards teaching, staying after school to tutor, and meeting with students on your lunch break to help them, is exactly what Harris Teeter was looking for when we started the Teachers Of Excellence Award. We at Harris Teeter are proud to award you with our December 2007 Teachers of Excellence Award! |
January's Winner - Kimberly Collins
English Teacher
Green Hope High School
Miss Kimberly Collins has been teaching English at Green Hope High School for 9 years. She has a lot of accomplishments to be proud of. She is head of the Student Council, head of the National Honor Society and she is Nationally Certified. In her spare time, she is the Varsity coach for the Cheerleading Team and the JV coach for Softball. Miss Collins teaches several levels of English class including academic, honors and Advance Placement. Her Advanced Placement course was recently acknowledged by the College Board. This course is officially an accredited course. In letter after letter, she is complimented for being an outstanding teacher and friend to her students. We at Harris Teeter are proud to award you with our January 2008 Teachers of Excellence Award! |
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February's Winner - Maureen Fornatora
Fourth Grade Teacher
Newton-Lee Elementary School
Not only is Maureen a Fourth Grade Teacher, she is a mentor and a teacher for the After School Program. Maureen has been teaching in elementary schools for 24 years, she has been with Newton-Lee Elementary for the last 2 years. Julie Boyd, Principal, writes; "Mrs. Fornatora is an exemplary educator. Her professionalism, enthusiasm and knowledge of the curriculum as well as students’ academic, social and emotional needs have benefited many students and colleagues." Teachers like Maureen have made Harris Teeter believe it is important to recognize the teachers working to make a difference in the lives of students. We at Harris Teeter are proud to award you with our February 2008 Teachers of Excellence Award! |
March's Winner - Andrew Oldham
Band Teacher
Ragsdale High School
Andrew Oldham was awarded the Harris Teeter Teacher of Excellence Award for March. Andrew is the Band Teacher at Ragsdale High and the Band Director and Orchestra Teacher at Jamestown Middle, both located in Jamestown, NC. Andrew goes above and beyond his duties as a Music Teacher for Ragsdale High. According to Denise Richmond, “He is confident, poised, articulate, enthusiastic, and an inspiration to his students.” She also states “He makes them feel competent in their ability to perform their very best no matter who the audience may be.” Congratulationss Mr. Oldham! |
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April's 1st Winner - Stacey Waltzer
First Grade Teacher
Dillard Drive Elementary
Harris Teeter visited Dillard Drive Elementary in May to recognize just one of the excellent teachers that work hard each day in Cary, NC. Stacey Waltzer was recognized as a Teacher of Excellence for April. Ms. Waltzer has spent 7 years realizing that “every moment counts” when it comes to the children that walk in her classroom door each day. She is a teacher that not only teaches her students but takes that extra time to understand them and explain tasks to each first grader in her classroom. Being a teacher is more than just books and lessons and Stacey shows that in her continued commitment. |
April's 2nd Winner - Mary Epperson
Music Teacher
Sherwood Forest Elementary
Ms. Mary Epperson was noticed as a Teacher of Excellence during April by Harris Teeter. Ms. Epperson teaches at Sherwood Forest in Winston-Salem, NC. Mary can make the most of any situation regardless of her classroom setup or the materials that she is provided. She keeps her focus on making sure her children stay challenged and they are enjoying the opportunity to learn music. Harris Teeter recognizes Mary Epperson for each day she has inspired students to strive for excellence in everything they do, including being a great musician. |
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May's 1st Winner - Diane Berry
Physical Education Teacher
Morehead Elementary
Harris Teeter was proud to award one of our Teacher of Excellence awards for May to Diana Berry who teaches at Morehead Elementary in Greensboro, NC. Diana is a teacher that doesn’t just teach physical education but she finds non-traditional sports/activities to introduce to her students. Ms. Berry realizes that one of her tasks while teaching is to help fight against childhood obesity. This means she emphasizes team-building so students do not feel alone when working toward goals. Diana Berry teaches her students more than just physical education but incorporates activities in their day to day live. |
May's 2nd Winner - Deborah Keel
Mathematics Teacher
Rocky Mount High School
Deborah Keel was awarded with the one of the May Harris Teeter Teacher of Excellence awards. Deborah has been teaching Mathematics at Rock Mount High School in Rocky Mount, NC for 5 years, but has over 20 years of experience. Deborah has many accomplishments to be proud of: she runs Math Night Out and the tutorial program; she is Nationally Certified and a presenter at the NC Mathematics conference. It is this type of dedication that helps her gain the respect of her colleagues, students and parents. Kristin McAvoy, a student at Rocky Mount H.S., had this to say about Ms. Keel, “I feel very privileged to have had Mrs. Keel as a teacher and I will take all of the knowledge that she has taught me to the university next year.” |