Performance Zone 12
November 2014 Spotlights
Lucille Rogers Elementary School
Lucille Rogers Elementary has an amazing and talented staff all deserving of spotlight status, but one teacher in particular needs to be highlighted for relentless dedication to the craft of teaching.
Linda Stokes, who has been with the Clark County School District for the past 23 years, began her teaching career in Kansas and Oklahoma. She has been teaching at Rogers for the past seven years, lucky seven for the students in her second grade classes. Even after 39 years as an educator, Linda Stokes’ passion for creating lifelong learners has not diminished. Her favorite moments in teaching are “seeing the light bulb go on in her kids’ faces”. Fortunately for her students, her joy of teaching has not dimmed.
Mrs. Stokes traditionally increases the number of students in her classes who meet or exceed standards in reading and math by at least 35%. Last year, 91% or her students in reading and math met or exceeded standards as measured by the Discovery Assessment.
Spectacular pedagogy is not Linda Stokes’ only asset as an educator. She is described by her peers as “an inspirational woman” and by parents of her students as “firm, fair, and loving”. She takes the time to teach the whole child. She illuminates as well as educates.
Linda
Stokes
D'Vorre and Hal Ober Elementary School
Ms. Kortney Pope was born to teach! She’s creative, talented, and masterful when it comes to her craft and this is only the beginning of her profession! Ms. Pope has a whatever it takes attitude when it comes to the success of her students. She tutors her students after school, holds parent trainings, and differentiates everything she does in the classroom. Visiting her classroom is always a treat but, if you drop in during Number Talks, you will most definitely be “Wowed” by her students! Ms. Pope is the grade level chair for her second grade team and a teacher leader on campus. Her reflective nature and determination to be the best she can be is contagious. Mrs. Pope is passionate about her students and her instruction and it shows in everything she does! She is an asset of the Ober ES Team and we are honored to highlight as a representative for our school!
Kortney
Pope
Josephine
Robles
Grant Sawyer Middle School
Keeping us alive with computers, trainings, and especially her congenial demeanor!
Spring Valley High School
At the start of the 2014-2015 school year, William Hemberger joined the Spring Valley High family. Mr. Hemberger is a classroom teacher in his 3rd year of teaching with the Clark County School District. His specific teaching assignments at Spring Valley High School are Physical Education and Freshmen Studies. His eager, positive energy make him a shining example to our students and staff.
Spring Valley High School recently became an AVID National Demonstration School, which is a distinction held by less than 3% of the over 4,500 schools in the nation with AVID programs. Mr. Hemberger recently joined the AVID site team by attending the AVID Summer Institute this summer and plans to positively influence hundreds of students in their quest to pursue higher education.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Hemberger assumed the position as the Head women’s basketball coach for his second year at Spring Valley High School. He fully expects his team to qualify for the post season playoffs for the first time in several years. Additionally, his goal is to host a playoff game and compete for a regional title. He feels that with the talent and style of play, his team should be able to compete at the state level as well. Since taking over the program, work ethic, discipline, and togetherness have all been a major focus resulting in vast academic and athletic improvements in our athletes. He is excited to get the season started and show people what Spring Valley Lady Grizz Basketball will be all about!
William
Hemberger
Joseph E. Thiriot Elementary School
Thiriot Elementary School spotlights second grade teacher, Theresa Zakrzewkski. Theresa enthusiastically embraced the Literacy Framework and has "jumped in with both feet" to implement the standards and best practices from the book study, Great Thinkers, Great Readers. Her classroom instruction in literacy has served as a model for her grade level. In addition, Theresa presented what she had internalized and practiced about the Literacy Framework to the primary teachers at Thiriot during a morning staff development session. Theresa is not afraid to take chances in the classroom. She serves as the team leader for our second grade teachers at Thiriotland and has begun to emerge as a school-wide leader. When not at school, Theresa is very busy with her pre-school twins and running her own dance studio.!
Theresa
Zakrzewski
Kathy L. Batterman Elementary School
Lindsay Packer is Batterman Elementary School’s spotlight teacher. She is currently serving as the Literacy Strategist and continues to model effective and professional teacher traits. Mrs. Packer has worked at Batterman since the school opened and has continued to make a difference in every student, parent, and teacher. Mrs. Packer has worked hard to provide classroom teachers with instructional materials to support the Literacy Framework. Her continued positive attitude and exemplary work ethic is to be commended. Mrs. Packer works hard to provide meaningful Professional Development to all staff members. As a school we are fortunate to have her expertise and appreciate all of her hard work.
