Putnam City - Public Schools Foundation

Teachers of the year for each of Putnam City's 27 schools will be honored at the annual Teacher of the Year reception, which will be held at Newchurch, 9201 N. Rockwell, on Monday, February 22 at 6:00 p.m. 

The 2009-2010 teachers of the year are:

Apollo Elementary School-Wendy Tejada
Arbor Grove Elementary School-James Pratt
Central Elementary School-Shannon Elliott
Coronado Heights Elementary School-Suzy Downing
James L. Dennis Elementary School-Steve White
Ralph Downs Elementary School-Cheri Hensley
Harvest Hills Elementary School-Jessica Purdum
Hilldale Elementary School-Connie John
D.D. Kirkland Elementary School-John Vincent
Lake Park Elementary School-Pam White
Northridge Elementary School-Pat Sledgers
Overholser Elementary School-Lindsay Sloan
Rollingwood Elementary School-Traci McElyea
Tulakes Elementary School-Carrie Lawson
Western Oaks Elementary School-Carrie Bauer
Wiley Post Elementary School-Greg Kipf
Will Rogers Elementary School-Cathy Damen
Windsor Hills Elementary School-Alice Story

Capps Middle School-Amy Harmon
Kenneth Cooper Middle School-Vicki Vaughan
Hefner Middle School-Barbara Fowler
Mayfield Middle School-Shbrone Brookings
Western Oaks Middle School-Anne-Marie Oestriecher

Putnam City Academy-Shona Willis
Putnam City High School-Debbie Ocker
Putnam City North High School-Susan Clothier
Putnam City West High School-Eric Lyons

Each school's teacher of the year is chosen by the school's teaching staff.  The 27 honorees are also nominated for Putnam City District Teacher of the Year.  The winner of that award will be announced at the February 22nd reception, and then become one of the teachers from across the state to be considered for State Teacher of the Year.

To choose the district's top teacher, each year the district's professional development committee-this includes teachers, parents and administrators-combs through teacher portfolios and makes a selection.  To qualify for the district award, applicants must be judged by the committee to be exceptionally skillful and dedicated classroom teachers, demonstrate vigorous, creative and imaginative teaching on a day-to-day basis, and have the high esteem of students, parents and co-workers.  They must also be active in their communities.  The top five finalists' next step in the process is an interview with community leaders asking questions.  These five people will be the Putnam City Foundation Excellent Educators this year.  One of these will be the District Teacher of the Year.

Paul Hurst, Putnam City Superintendent, says, "In a district with more than 1,300 teachers who each day bring dedication, commitment and expertise to their classrooms, these 27 teachers of the year are to be especially congratulated.  They've been honored by their colleagues, the people who work alongside them, for the ways in which they inspire and engage students.  I join with our school communities in applauding these talented educators."

For more information, please contact the teacher of the year chairperson, Vivian Rice, by e-mail at vrice@putnamcityschools.org