Charleston County’s Teacher of the Year

April 25, 2006: Today the Rotary Club honored five very special individuals who were the Honor Roll Teachers and the Teacher of the Year for the Charleston County School District. Their comments and remarks confirmed that we’re truly privileged to have individuals such as these invest their time, energy, and emotions to create a positive educational experience for our students. Dr. Marie Goodloe-Johnson, a member of our Club and Charleston County School Superintendent, introduced the individuals with many glowing accolades with a clear sense of personal pride.

Teacher of the Year
Jennifer Middleton, a Science Teacher at Military Magnet Academy, has above her door a sign that reads, “I love science, and I hope that you will too!” She supports a “hands-on” science experience which draws children into the lesson and gives them control of their learning. Her passion for teaching and getting parents involved in the school have made a tremendous difference and positive influence over children’s lives.

Ms. Middleton’s address to our group was her first public speaking experience. She used a technique of picturing us as sixth grade science students to calm her fears. Hopefully she realized that, even though public speaking may be listed as the #1 fear, with audiences like Rotary that fear is exaggerated. Hopefully, a warm Rotary reception paved the way for many great speaking experiences.

In her early years of teaching, Ms. Middleton realized that student difficulty in High School can be traced back to Middle School. In early years, students most often seem truly energized to learn, but somewhere in the Middle School years they lose their enthusiasm. She uses her engaging manner and ability to motivate to create an environment students want to be in and where they want to learn. Her philosophy is to encourage people and to help them feel successful. She said, “I sell my product, Learning Science, with the same zeal as others, such as McDonalds does when selling their Big Mac.” She stresses that Teachers need to work smarter, rather than harder, to elicit the support of everyone and feels dedicated teachers cannot do the job alone. They must have the support of parents and even members of Rotary, which a few years ago sent members into her class to spend time and to give extra attention to the students.

Being a true Teacher she could not speak to the group without a quiz. The question she asked was, “Of the elements in the air, which is the most prevalent?” She engaged the group with that question, and not everyone knew it was Nitrogen. Her closing not only engaged us, it also encouraged us to continue learning.

Honor Roll Teachers

Millibeth Currie, a Science Teacher at Moultrie Middle School, believes that her role as a middle school teacher is to prepare the students for the future. She has done breakthrough work in helping students get out of their comfort zones and speak up in math and science classes. She has designed an after-school program for adolescent girls entitled, “Women in Charge: Women Engineering Their Lives.”

Marsha Moreland, a Guidance Counselor at Buist Academy, spent her early years as a French and English Teacher. One of her priorities was to establish a rapport with her students. She offers a comprehensive developmental guidance program to students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Lauren Romano, a 4th Grade Teacher at Drayton Hall, believes in differentiation of instruction to meet the needs of individual students. She has been an inclusion coach, working with seven West Ashley schools to assist teachers to work with special education students in mainstream classes. Her inclusion classroom is a model for her colleagues in the District, and has earned her an invitation to present next year at the Staff Development for Educators National Differentiation Conference.

Marshall Swindall, before becoming a Social Studies Teacher at West Ashley High School, was an Ordained Minister and has done work with the US Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. He believes that the key to student success in the classroom, and in adulthood lies in their learning how to think and solve problems. As a Social Studies teacher in the “trenches” with students who are not typically motivated to learn, he links classroom curriculum with real life and the workplace for a student-centered environment for learning.

We are truly blessed to have been able to honor such great individuals who give selflessly to hold the future through those they teach.

Contributed By Wayne Outlaw, Keyway Commitee