The annual Teacher of the Year banquet was held on Tuesday, September 18 at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville. Dawn Rookey, English teacher at Owen High school received the highest honor, being recognized as the 2013 BCS Teacher of the Year.
When visiting Ms. Rookey’s classroom, her skills were evident. Committee member Angie Tesauro comments, “Every student in the class was involved in learning. She used games, current TV commercials and group work assignments to keep the pace lively and her students engaged. I would have loved English as a high school student in her classroom.”
Meg Turner, Owen High principal says, “Ms. Rookey is a master teacher who has spent years developing the art of teaching. She holds high expectations for her students as she prepares them for what comes after her class.”
As the district winner, Rookey received a $3000 technology grant from the Buncombe County Schools Foundation and a $1,000 personal check and marble clock from Jostens. The next step for her will be the regional Teacher of the Year competition held in October.
Teacher of the Year finalists were selected by reviewing their submitted portfolios and by a committee interview process. In the last phase of the selection process, finalists were visited in their classrooms and also asked to present speeches.
Six district finalist were chosen to represent each district in Buncombe County:
REYNOLDS: Cindy Dearman, A. C. Reynolds Middle
ENKA: JB Halpin, Pisgah Elementary
ERWIN: Christine Jones, Early College
NORTH BUNCOMBE: Lorie McFee, North Buncombe High
OWEN: Dawn Rookey, Owen High
TC ROBERSON: Colleen Robertson, Progressive Education Program
Other honors given at the banquet included recognizing Cindy Dearman, a 6th grade math teacher at A. C. Reynolds Middle School as the 2013 BCS Teacher of the Year Runner – Up. SMSgt Anthony Kelly, JROTC teacher at T. C. Roberson High School was also selected as the 2013 Ruth Henderson Award winner for outstanding community service leadership outside of his classroom. This award is named in memory of a former Erwin High teacher/counselor who lost her life to cancer. Ms. Henderson was a true advocate for students in and out of the classroom.
Since the mid eighties, this is Owen High School's third recipient of the district Teacher of the Year honor. Sallie McDuffie was chosen in 1986 and Donna Pate was the 1996 district winner.
The banquet was made possible by financial support from the presenting sponsor, Pierce Group Benefits and sponsor of the Teacher of the Year gifts and plaques – HomeTrust Bank."
