To all of our High Point seniors, Class of 2020, we want to wish a huge congratulations! Although the conclusion of your senior year might not have gone the way you hoped or planned, we are incredibly proud of all the hard work you’ve accomplished – and we hope you are too!

We also don’t want to let the end of another school year pass without acknowledging the incredible work of the men and women who teach our High Point students year after year, giving them the tools they need to go into the world and make a difference. That’s why we’re celebrating another set of very Extraordinary Educators this month, three teachers who give to their students every day to ensure that they are equipped with everything they need to succeed in their education and their lives after the classroom.

Lakayla Allamby

“Never stop learning, after their done being a student in class, become a student of the world”

Lakayla, a first-grade teacher at Parkview Village Elementary School, was nominated by her principal, Crystal Gregory. Gregory describes Lakayla as “a respected leader who thinks beyond ordinary limits.”

As a first-grade teacher, Lakayla is especially inspired by the power of reading, both in her life and in the lives of her students. In her first class of first graders, she was touched after a read aloud session when her students told her she was the first person to read aloud to them.

“Now anytime I really want to teach my kids something, I know that reading aloud to them and having discussions is a way that they’ll appreciate learning,” she says.

Lakayla remembers the first time a teacher read aloud to her. The book was Stone Soup, and Lakayla still recalls morals the story taught her: to be kind and do good to those around you.

“My wish isn’t for my students to read one particular book,” she says. “My wish is for them to have the experience of reading many books that helps them to connect to and understand their world.”

Along with reading, Lakayla has always been inspired by the teachers around her – from the professors she learned from at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, to her fellow colleagues at Parkview.

“The teachers that I get to talk to and observe every day solidify and enforce the knowledge I get from books,” Lakayla says. “I get to see them put these education theories into practice and after having conversations and debates, I can figure out how to make it work for me. From the time I started teaching, every door at Parkview has been open to me. And this access to great teachers has made me a better teacher.”

Check out Lakayla’s Amazon Wishlist!

Donelle Lyon

“Keep pushing and striving to prove people that doubt you wrong. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do or be something. Take those negative words that people wish upon you and use it as fuel to your fire.”

Donelle Lyon, who teaches 6th through 12th grade physical education and health at High Point Pruette SCALE (School Community Alternative Learning Environment), was nominated by his principal, Tanecka Robeson. “Donelle inspires students to make healthy decisions at critical moments in their lives,” Robinson says.

As a physical education and health teacher, Donelle wants to inspire his students to face challenges with bravery and to be honest about the challenges they are facing. He notes the misperceptions around High Point Pruette SCALE – that it’s a place for students who have faced problems in their adolescence and don’t have a future to look forward to. But he says nothing could be further from the truth.

“People in the community don’t always know what’s going on inside with the students,” he explains. “But give the young men and women at High Point Pruette SCALE a chance to grow from the small mistakes that they’ve made… Students act out for a reason but nobody has the courage to see what’s truly going on with them at home.”

Donelle’s passion for his students at High Point Pruette SCALE come from his own story and experience with education.

“Troubled youth are my biggest influence,” Donelle explains. “I had a disciplinary problem in school. Even though I came from a rare household – having both my parents in the house – I was always being disruptive and being the class clown. It led to me being in situations inside and outside of school that could have easily been avoided. With that being said I can relate and understand what students go through.”

Donelle says throughout his time in education, he most remembers a time when a student shared how much of a positive male role model he was in their life. It’s this kind of relationship building that continues to fuel him to advocate on his students’ behalfs and find ways to help them solve problems.

Check out Donelle’s Amazon Wishlist!

Kara Mason

“I want students to learn to be kind to themselves and others. My desire is to have students treat others well and to also be kind to others. When kindness is present, it helps make connections with others that help students flourish. I think students would have a positive outlook for their futures and want to continue to learn.”

As a third-grade teacher at Florence Elementary, Kara was nominated by her principal, Chiyanna Young. Young says of Kara is a relationship builder who has enhanced her students’ learner through earning specific educational grants.  

As a longtime employee in the Guilford County School System, Kara has worked in almost every area of the school system. Since 2003, she’s been everything from an ACES leader, to a substitute, to an assistant teacher, to a full time elementary teacher.  

“Throughout the years, I valued having a connection with the communities I worked in because I cared about the impact that I made not only with students but also parents’ lives,” Kara says. “I ensured parents saw that I took interest in students’ lives by attending outside activities that my students participated in… Even though my life has changed a lot in 16 years, I continue to try to invest time in my students outside of school.”

In her years as a teacher, Kara has used her classroom as everything from a place to host a parent/student cookout to a makeshift football stadium – complete with football field, field posts, and football-themed lessons to engage her students in a new way. Kara attributes her creativity in the classroom to the high caliber of teachers she’s worked with over the years.  

“The world around me influences my teaching style,” she explains. “I am lucky to have started my teaching career at an excellent school that had hard working passionate teachers where I had the ability to collaborate some of the best lessons.” From summer book clubs to workshops, Kara is always calling for herself and her fellow educators to better themselves to provide stronger educational support to their students.

Check out Kara’s Amazon Wishlist!

And the wise words offered up by these educators are good for more than just the students they teach; they’re good for all of us. 

To our readers, to the Class of 2020, to High Point citizens: Keep pushing and striving to prove people that doubt you wrong. Be kind to yourself and to others. Become a student of the world.

Link to Original Post: https://barbourspangle.com/extraordinary-educators-lakayla-allamby-donelle-lyon-kara-mason/

Now more than ever before, we are recognizing what our teachers do on a daily basis is truly extraordinary! And as many of you are home with your kids, learning all over again that pre-algebra is a challenge and writing an essay can be quite a feat, we hope you find yourself more thankful than ever for the men and women who patiently guide your children through these learning milestones.

Today we are featuring three teachers who graciously choose to spend their time positively impacting and empowering our students, both in the classroom and virtually! Join us in celebrating the Extraordinary Educators below and all the rest in our city. (Maybe reach out to your children’s teachers and extend a word of thanks for all they do!)

Valerie McCain

“Ferndale Middle School is a school filled with a diverse student body and highly qualified staff. We are a family and go the extra mile to support one another as we prepare our students to become productive citizens and leaders in society.”

Valerie was nominated by her principal, Leslie Kinard, who calls Valerie a “mentor and champion for high standards.” As the Career and Technical Education teacher at Ferndale Middle School, Valerie places her high standards on herself, her students, and her school.

“I get excited knowing that I am equipping my students with the technical skills and soft skills they need to be successful in high school and college so that they can obtain the career of their dreams,” Valerie says.

And the standards Valerie holds her students to come accompanied with her deepest support. She wants her students to succeed, to be empowered to try harder than they normally would, and she supports this through her own investment in their lives.

“My son’s middle school years were very difficult for him and would have been less so if he had a teacher who was kind and demonstrated compassion towards him. I really try to provide my students with the experience I wish my son had,” Valerie says of her motivation as a teacher. “I strive to treat my students with love, kindness and respect and let them know that no matter what, I care about them and I am concerned about what happens to them.”

John Anderson

“Southwest middle is an amazing school with extraordinary leaders and staff. We work together to help our students exceed and excel.”

John Anderson, nominated by his principal, Dr. Arlisa Armond, teaches 7th graders at Southwest Middle. Dr. Armond says of John, “He is committed to student success, a leader among leaders.”  

This leadership style that John exudes for his students as a model is built on the solid foundation of trust.  

“My teaching style is greatly influenced by my belief that students really can learn when they know they can trust the teacher,” John says. “Creating a safe, well-structured classroom opens up the opportunity for students to learn. Relationships with students, parents, staff, and leaders help to build an environment for students to learn.” 

John says that hearing that he has made learning exciting for his students is his proudest achievement. And like Valerie, John wants to push his students to try harder than they ever have before and empower them to know the worth and value they can bring to the world.

“I hope that I have given my students the courage to not give up and believe in themselves,” John says. “I hope that my impact in the classroom has made a positive change in a students life outside the classroom, even if I never find out about it. My students should be one of my greatest impacts.”

Andrea Emmanuel

“At Welborn Academy of Science and Technology, we learn and grow together, building character and developing scholars. Every day brings about its challenges, another opportunity to learn something new, and advance eager minds.”

Andrea Emmanuel, 8th grade math teacher and Teacher of the Year for 2018-2019 at Welborn Academy of Science and Technology was nominated by her teacher Ashauna Harris.

Andrea’s goal to impact her students is also born from her desire to see her students’ potential maximized. She works daily to empower them, not through overwhelming challenges or forced competition, but rather through small, daily conversations to build their confidence and relationships.

“I use humor and relevant real-world application to keep students engaged while making connections. Class is one long conversation,” Andrea explains. “Throughout this conversation students are sharing ideas, challenging themselves and others, sparking curiosity, productively struggling, increasing their vocabulary and learning.”

Andrea cites the mission of Welborn – to create a caring environment consistent with the middle school philosophy by encouraging responsible decision-making, cultural understanding, and respect for self and others – as one of the major contributions to making these kinds of classroom conversations possible. And it’s led to some of her proudest moments with her students.

The most memorable teaching moment was when a student with a learning disability volunteered to work with and explain a concept to another student,” Andrea says. “That student had built up her math skills and confidence in the classroom and in the building. She learned how to take what she knew and use it with real-world application.”

Check out Andrea’s Amazon Wishlist!

Link to Original Post: https://barbourspangle.com/extraordinary-educators-valerie-mccain-john-anderson-andrea-emmanuel/