A packed boardroom Monday evening witnessed Edgewood Elementary teacher Takela Moreland take home the inaugural Watson Chapel School District Teacher of the Year award.
Moreland, who teaches first grade, is one of four campus teachers of the year who were finalists for the district honor. Now as the district’s top teacher, she is eligible to apply for state Teacher of the Year, Superintendent Keith McGee said.
“I do this not for show. I do it because I love it,” Moreland said, fighting back emotion. “This is my passion. I worked with some amazing teachers. … Thank you for being that role model for young teachers like me coming up and honored and eager to come up in this profession.”
Moreland started her career as a paraprofessional and worked her way to leading a classroom, McGee said.
“Through her leadership and dedication and impact, she embodies the very spirit of excellence that defines Watson Chapel School District,” McGee said before announcing Moreland as the winner.
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Colleagues nominated the teachers based on instructional practices, relationships with students, contributions beyond the classrooms, equity and engagement, overall impact and two letters of recommendation for each teacher. A panel of staff members from the district’s central office selected the WCSD Teacher of the Year.
Other campus Teachers of the Year are Mary Johnson of Coleman Elementary; Sherita Thomas of Watson Chapel Junior High School; and Deborah Williams of Watson Chapel High School.
McGee commented Thomas began her career with a waiver under Act 1240 of 2015, which allows teachers without licenses to be hired and begin a path toward licensure, but added Thomas has just passed the licensing exam.
“All of our teachers and all of our staff, they’re all scholars,” McGee said. “They’re all stars in my mind.”
The WCSD also honored teachers who demonstrated value-added measured growth in their classes. The school and classroom value-added growth modules, McGee said, are designed for exploration and analysis to support local efforts to improve teaching and learning for all students.
Honored teachers include: Amy Bledsoe, Angela Coleman, Briana Higgins, Daneen Higgins, Patricia Jones, Shala Jordan, Marchelle Knight, Kimberly Lang, Synthia Massey-Gray, Ebony McLaurin, Kathleen Mitchell, Patricia Oates, Janice Soto, Joyce Suggs, Jasmeteria Thomas, Sherita Thomas and Deborah Williams.
Eleven district retirees also received plaques for their many years of service: Sylvia Anderson, Jean Austin, Debbie Bateman, Nadine Blake, Doris Davis, Johnson, Deborah Linsy, Roderick Monk, Suggs, Williams and Herman Vaughn.
