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Above — Coach
Strickland's 1st period AP Physics class, (left to right): Ricky
Singh, Marilyn Steenhoek, Chris Matthews, Austin Luedtke, Harry Strickland,
Josh Mackey, Dan Thon and Ram Reddy.
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The TowneLaker congratulates
every 2002 Teacher of the Year selected for each of our Towne Lake area
schools by the Cherokee County School Board. This year the TowneLaker's
2002 Teacher of the Year was selected by our readers based on the highest
number of votes each teacher received.
Etowah High School's
Harry Strickland has been voted as The TowneLaker's 2002 Teacher of the
Year. Strickland is in his ninth year of teaching at Etowah High School.
He teaches A.P. Physics, Honor Physics and Academic Physics.
In addition to academics,
he coaches varsity football and junior varsity football and tennis. In
addition, Mr. Strickland was recently named varsity boys basketball coach.
He is loved by his students as well as the student athletes that he coaches.
"He is a great teacher who really knows his stuff," stated Ram Reddy.
"He is just a great guy," Ram continued. Ram Reddy is a second year physics
student and is also coached in tennis by Mr. Strickland.
Mr. Strickland was
selected as both Etowah's Star Teacher and Cherokee County's Star Teacher
in 1994. The Star Teacher for each school is selected by the student with
the highest SAT score from that school. The student with the highest SAT
score in the county selects the Star Teacher for the county.
Mr. Strickland received his Bachelor of Science
in Education from the University of Georgia and his Masters in Education
from North Georgia College. He is involved with First Priority, a Christian
outreach and has been a member of First Baptist Church of Woodstock for
five years.
When The TowneLaker walked into Mr. Strickland's
class, it was immediately evident that his students thought alot of him.
The students knew The TowneLaker was coming and one student walked in
the class wearing a pair of glasses with tape in the middle of them representing
the "Physics Geek." Another student walked up to Mr. Strickland and stated
that "he is such a good teacher we learn by osmosis." He then put his
head on Mr. Strickland's shoulder and shouted "I feel smarter already."
The class had a few laughs and then got down to business. Throughout the
class, Mr. Strickland taught, the students shouted out answers to his
questions and there was a lot of learning going on. The students however,
continued to interject humorous comments about Mr. Strickland's hair cut.
Congratulations Mr. Strickland, and may you continue to keep them laughing
and learning.Mr. Strickland's students truly admire
and respect him.
Listed below and at
right are just some of their thoughts.
He is really one of
the only teachers who has made a connection with the students. I believe
that is what every teacher should do to become a great teacher.
- Amanda Murray
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He knows how to connect with us. He always
makes jokes and keeps us laughing. And he always tells us how "Physics
is Phun." He is a great teacher.
- Nick Foster
He is a wonderful teacher! Coach Strickland
is always quick to make someone laugh or bring a smile to everyone in
his class. His attitude towards teaching seems to be one of dedication
and joy. And like he always says "Physics is Phun!"
- Jason Dolezal
He makes learning fun, which allows the students
to be relaxed in the classroom. He makes sure every student understands
what he is teaching before moving on to something different. Not only
is he our teacher, he is also our friend.
- Brad Prather
He makes learning so much fun! He is a very
enthusiastic teacher, and he is very dedicated to all of his students.
Coach Strickland takes time to get to know his students and build better
relationship with them.
- Anonymous
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CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL OF THE TOWNELAKER'S 2002 TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Gail Johnson is an English teacher
at CrossRoads Middle and High School. She has been a teacher for 14 years
and is in her third year at CrossRoads.
Mary McGraw teaches second grade at
Bascomb Elementary. Mary is in her 42nd year of teaching. She has taught
2nd through 9th grades during her career.
Cindy Johnson teaches second grade
and is in her third year at Boston Elementary.
Judith Dreher teaches Special Education
at E.T. Booth Middle School to students with learning disabilities. She
has been at E.T. Booth since 1995.
Robin White is a Social Studies teacher
at Woodstock High School. She has been teaching for 18 years.
Kathy Smith teaches Language Arts
and Reading at Chapman Intermediate School. Kathy began teaching at Chapman
when it opened its doors in 2000.
Denise Karel teaches third grade at
Carmel Elementary. Denise has been teaching since 1977.
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