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It takes a special
educator to receive a school's honor as Teacher of the Year. They are
selected by their principal and peers, and it's a tremendous honor. In
viewing all of the votes that were submitted by parents, students and
peers for The TowneLaker's Teacher of the Year, it's evident that
all of the schools' nominated teachers are well respected and liked. But
in the end, one teacher received the most votes out of hundreds of entries,
and that teacher is Debra Jones of Bascomb Elementary School.
From the age of 15, Debra knew she wanted
to be a teacher. "I felt that this profession would allow me to truly
make a positive impact on someone else's life," she said. Debra started
her teaching career in Mississippi 21 years ago, and this is not the first
time she has received the honor of "Teacher of the Year." While teaching
in the Atlanta Public School System, she was bestowed the honor twice
at two different schools, in 1994 and 1997. Debra moved to the Towne Lake
area 15 years ago and has been teaching at Bascomb Elementary for the
past 5 years. She currently teaches the fourth grade, and it's obvious
from visiting her class that she is one of those teachers who will remain
in the children's hearts for years to come.
Debra strongly believes in a student-centered
approach to education. "By creating a secure, nurturing, motivating and
democratic environment, a child is able to build a strong self-image,
which allows for academic and personal growth and success," stated Debra.
Parent Alisa Anderson said, "Debra Jones is above and beyond any teacher
I have ever had for my children. She exemplifies high standards, commitment
and love for teaching." Debra teaches her students new concepts or skills
by directly relating them to the students' everyday lives. Bascomb's principal
Mrs. Ruth Summerlin said, "Debra Jones is a model teacher. She is passionate
about her profession and always interacts in a respectful way. Mrs. Jones
is eager to engage in new strategies based on solid research. Her interpersonal
skills are outstanding, valuing each child and parent. When I think of
an exceptional teacher, I visualize someone with qualities including knowledge,
personality and enthusiasm, like Mrs. Jones."
The greatest reward Debra receives from teaching
is watching the progress her students make as they grow and learn throughout
the year. "To hear my students say, 'I set a reading goal
that I thought was too high, and I didn't just meet it, I doubled it!'
or 'You can go help
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someone else now,
I get it,' are the greatest rewards," said Debra.
Outside of teaching, Debra is involved in
her community, organizing a yearly clean-up day for her local baseball
park, and enjoying time with her family, husband Kevin and sons Nicholas
and Jordan.
Mrs. Jones' class was very excited and proud
that their teacher had been selected as The TowneLaker's Teacher
of the Year. Each and every student had wonderful things to say about
her. Here are a few of their comments:
"She teaches us in some special way that
makes us want to learn."
- Sarah Pollack
"Mrs. Jones is a good teacher because she
is wonderful and she makes me feel safe."
- Brock Overy
"Mrs. Jones likes teaching, and when she
does, she smiles. She's a good teacher because she likes it."
- Vashaun Bullock
"If I don't understand something, she helps
me. Because she helps me, I ace every class."
- Joey Freckman
"Mrs. Jones treats me like a friend and instead
of making something boring, she makes it fun."
- Kathryn Torgerson
"If you are walking in line and you're next
to Mrs. Jones, she will ask you questions about how your day is, and about
soccer practice. She is the best teacher I have ever had!"
- Alli Replogle
"Mrs. Jones makes learning fun and exciting.
If there was a 'Best Teacher in America' award, she would win it BIG time!"
- Tyler Parks
"She doesn't give us too much homework!"
- Patrick Baldwin
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