Madison County Schools teachers of the year honored at school board meeting Dec. 13

MARSHALL - The Madison County Board of Education honored the district teachers of the year during a the board's Dec. 13 meeting at Central Office.

"Now to the fun part of the evening," Superintendent Will Hoffman said after the board concluded its discussion with County Health Director Tammy Cody about a cluster of 23 cases at Mars Hill Elementary School. "I just want to say our teachers have been tremendous throughout the course of this whole pandemic. Through this year, and getting to the midpoint of this year, it's just an important threshold for all of us."

According to Hoffman, the 2021-22 award recipients were recognized by their fellow teachers.

Mars Hill Elementary School Principal Marshay Huskins was honored as the Principal of the Year, but was unable to attend the event.

"I've known Ms. Huskins for over 20 years as a strong educator in our region, and as a Bonner Scholar at Mars Hill University," Hoffman said. "With a foundation of education on servant leadership, Ms. Huskins plays a crucial role in the success of our district. She is always a strong voice on our district leadership team. One of the most powerful components that Ms. Huskins exhibits is her knowledge and research around teaching to trauma and poverty."

Mars Hill Elementary is the school district's largest school, with more than 500 students enrolled this year.

"During the chaotic conditions brought about by the pandemic, Ms. Huskins sought to ensure each child had access to the tools necessary to learn and grow in a positive environment," Hoffman said. "Due to her leadership, no doubt her school will continue to exceed growth. Madison County Schools is extremely lucky and grateful to have Ms. Marshay Huskins working within our system."

Hoffman said Huskins and the district's other principals, as well as school administrators everywhere are brought under increased pressure and scrutiny due to the public's differing viewpoints on school systems' COVID-19 protocols.

"Marshay Huskins is somebody who has stepped in at Mars Hill Elementary and has done a great job there," Hoffman said. "She's a wonderful leader - as all our principals are - as they carry so much responsibility in the building every single day, and deal with things that the public can't imagine a lot of the times.

"Just the data that was reported here tonight (including Hoffman reporting that there were 139 people quarantined throughout the school system as of Dec. 13) - a lot of our public doesn't understand the depth of that data, and how that is actually accumulated, and how the pressure is on a district or school administrator at this point."

The Mars Hill Elementary cluster is the first in the school system since the pandemic began.

Teachers of the Year

Megan Morgan received Madison High School's Teacher of the Year, and was awarded the District Teacher of the Year as well. Morgan has 15 years of experience in education, according to MHS Principal David Robinson.

"We are very proud of Ms. Morgan," Robinson said. "I have known her for three years, and during that time I have watched her grow as a teacher and evolve into one of the strongest teacher leaders in our district. Ms. Morgan is excellent at building relationships, with peers, students, parents and external stakeholders. As a result, hers is one of the most respected voices in our school community.

"Ms. Morgan also believes in educating the whole child. She is very well aware of individual differences and needs of her students and works diligently with other colleagues, specialists and other outside organizations to ensure that each of her students have the support they need in order to be successful. I can't think of anyone better suited to represent the teaching profession and public education than her."

Roslyn Carney was recognized as Brush Creek Elementary's Teacher of the Year. Carney, who is currently working as a librarian, has worked in the school system for 19 of her 22 years as an educator.

"It's such a blessing to have Ms. Carney," Brush Creek Principal Susan Jackson said. "Ms. Carney does everything, includ ing (helping students with requests like,) 'My computer's broke. It's not working. It won't print. What do I do?' She also works with a group of students to help enrich the opportunities they get in afterschool activiteis. She's just amazing."

Jackson said her work at Brush Creek has been equally rewarding for her.

"I have the pleasure to work in a space that's a learning hub that nurtures the school's social and intellectual development, and it fosters community and collaboration learning, and love," Carney said in a letter read by Jackson. "While I teach my students, they learn to create, connect and collaborate."

Hot Springs Principal Jennifer Mills spoke on behalf of Teacher of the Year Tammy Massey, who also was unable to attend the ceremony.

"Tammy Massey is a teacher that our staff has voted Teacher of the Year multiple times," Mills said. "All of us felt so strongly about her skill as a teacher - especially a reading teacher - that we wanted her to teach all of our kids to read. So, just this year, she graciously agreed to be our K-2 interventionist. I can't think of someone who deserves this award more."

Mars Hill Elementary's Kate White was recognized as Teacher of the Year. Huskins offered her congratulations to White in a letter read at the meeting.

"Kate served as an Exceptional Children's teacher last year and has transitioned into an interventionist for our 4th and 5th graders this year," Huskins said in the letter. "Kate is a hard worker and is rarely seen siting still. She even spends her lunch break eating with students focusing on social skills.

"She is a leader in our building regarding the continuum of skills required for students to become sufficient readers. She's a resource for teachers to consult when planning targeted interventions to support student growth. We are fortunate at Mars Hill Elementary to have such an amazing educator on that staff."

Scott Whitney, a curriculum support teacher, earned Teacher of the Year honors at Madison Early College High School.

MECHS Principal Jennifer Caldwell said Whitney is in his fifth year at the school, serving as a substitute before Caldwell "snagged him up" to be a full-time Exceptional Children teacher.

Whitney has worn many hats while at MECHS, as he underwent training to be a science teacher, as well as a history teacher and academic success teacher in addition to his Exceptional Children role, according to Caldwell.

"He's been very flexible for me," Caldwell said. "He looks at me every year and says, 'What practice am I taking this year?' That's somebody you want on your staff - a team player. He advises our music club (and) film club. He's a bus driver. He went on our exchange program and helped fundraise for students that did not have the money to go. He's been on home visits and summer meal deliveries during the COVID shutdown.

"We are very happy to have him. He is a true servant leader, putting service before himself."

The 2021-22 Madison Middle School Teacher of the Year is Jamie Calloway, who has spent 28 years in the school system and will retire at the end of next school year.

"Jamie has been very active at Madison Middle," MMS Principal Jessica Chandler said. "He helps coach varsity softball and also helps with the wrestling team. He has a lot of different things going on. He's a student mentor. He builds relationships with the students. He was one of the main brains behind our farm project at Madison Middle. We are very lucky to have him at Madison Middle."

"Christmas is a time for hope, and a wonderful time of year," Hoffman said. "Our teachers provide that hope for our kids everyday in the classroom, and deliver on that every day. It's not an easy thing to do. We want to recognize them tonight and say 'Thank you.'"

Other news

The board voted unanimously to reinstate Kelby Cody to serve as the board's vice chair after a nomination by board member Kevin Barnette.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: MCS Teachers of the year honored at school board meeting Dec. 13