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One thing is certain.
The teachers who were selected as their school's Teacher of the Year are
endeared and respected by many. The TowneLaker received hundreds
of votes for individual teachers. The race was close, but in the end,
it is Laura Fedorchuk of Carmel Elementary who receives The TowneLaker's
2003 Teacher of the Year.
Most everyone has a
teacher he or she remembers forever. For a lot of students and parents,
Laura is that teacher. Her teaching style is full of enthusiasm, respect,
pride and genuine care for her students. Laura hails from Manitoba, Canada,
and moved to Georgia in 1999. She and her husband Curtis moved so that
he could attend college here. Moving from Canada was a huge transition
for Laura, but she is extremely happy and satisfied teaching at Carmel.
She taught for a year in Canada and began her teaching career in Woodstock
at Chapman Elementary School (now Chapman Intermediate). She has taught
Special Education and second grade and has taught third grade for the
past three years. She is particularly impressed by the support of the
parents, administrators and colleagues.
Laura believes that teaching is a true gift.
"It is such an honor to have a classroom full of wonderful little minds
for an entire year and watch their amazing transformations," comments
Laura. She continues, "Teaching is my passion, and Carmel Elementary is
a wonderful and caring environment with a strong academic foundation."
Laura was originally hired by Carmel Elementary
Principal, Mike Green. He is extremely proud of her and had this to say,
"Mrs. Fedorchuk is a strongly innovative teacher. Whether it's constructing
a Native American TeePee in her classroom or serving as After-School Program
Assistant Coordinator, she inspires students to excel in school."
Her classroom motto
is, "Our classroom is a safe place to grow." The room is evident of this
motto with class gerbils, a rounded teacher's desk which allows students
to sit with her for additional help and the freedom for each child
to be him/herself.
Mrs. Fedorchuk's class was very excited about
their teacher being chosen as The TowneLaker's Teacher of the Year.
Each and every one of them had wonderful things to say about her. Here
are several of their comments:
"We do a lot of fun stuff like gerbil time
and play time outside. She almost makes me want to go back through the
third grade!"
- Jeremy Hudak
"She lets us do lots of things like Midnight
Moment. I like her a lot because she is very nice. I'm glad my Mom made
me be in this class."
- Anna Cothran
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"Mrs. Fedorchuk is
an awesome teacher because she lets us learn at the same time we're playing.
She's just the best teacher, not because she's Teacher of the Year but
because she helps us and cares for us."
- Caitlyn Tongco
"Mrs. Fedorchuk, you're just great, and I
really hope you become a fourth grade teacher!"
- Nicholas Griffin
"She makes learning fun. She has clever ideas
and teaches us things so we know what to do in the real world. She is
full of life and has a cute laugh."
- Codi Henson
I think Mrs. Fedorchuk is a good teacher
because she's very nice and she's always there to help us. I don't want
to go to fourth grade because Mrs. Fedorchuk is the best!
- Madison Luker
Congratulations
to The TowneLaker's 2003 Teacher of the Year Nominees
Cindy Crews, Bascomb Elementary - Cindy
was chosen as Teacher of the Year for Cherokee County. Cindy teaches second
grade and has been teaching for 14 years.
Lisa Naliwajka, Boston Elementary -
Lisa has taught fourth grade Language Arts and Science at Boston Elementary
for eight years.
Patricia Garrett, Chapman Intermediate
- Patricia didn't start teaching until she was 44! She teaches the
5th grade.
Kristie Brumbelow, E.T. Booth Middle School
- Kristie is in her fifth year of teaching in the PASS (Positive
Action for Student Success) Program at E.T. Booth.
Donna Mau, Woodstock Middle School - Donna
has taught at Cherokee High, E.T. Booth Middle and Woodstock Middle Schools.
She teaches health and physical education.
Charlene Hunsucker, Etowah High School
- Charlene has been teaching Mathematics at Etowah since 1976 and
serves as the Math Department Chairperson.
Nick Zincone, Woodstock High School -
Nick has been teaching at WHS for two years. Prior to that he taught at
Teasley Middle School in Canton.
Carolyn Highsmith, CrossRoads Middle School
- Carolyn teaches 6th, 7th and 8th grades at CrossRoads Middle School.
Dr. Rachel Hedges, North Cobb Christian
School - Dr. Hedges is the History Department Chair at North Cobb
Christian School and has taught world history for three years.
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