Aspecial announcement started last week’s Newcastle Public Schools Board of Education meeting when Courtney Parsons was named District Teacher of the Year.
Parsons, a second grade teacher who was the Newcastle Lower Elementary School Site Teacher of the Year, was selected by a committee from among the other NPS Site Teachers of the Year.
They included: Jeffrey Duncan, high school business, marketing, and information technology teacher, yearbook advisor, and Esports coach; Kathy Cannon, Newcastle Middle School 6th-8th grade art teacher; Karen Wynne, Upper Elementary School 2nd-5th grade music teacher; Andrea Kelly, Early Childhood Center pre-kindergarten teacher; and Cady Bailey, Tri-City Learning Academy 9th-12th grade math teacher (see photo on page 2).
Superintendent Dr. Melonie Hau said each of the Site Teachers of the Year prepared a portfolio of their work for the local committee, and these portfolios are similar to those prepared for State Teacher of the Year applications.
Parsons will be completing her application for State Teacher of the Year by September.
Hau said the school board expressed their appreciation for all Newcastle educators and thanked them for the hard work they do serving students.
In other Board of Education business, Tri-City Learning Academy Director Kaisha Mathis talked about the TCLA, the programs being offered, and how the partnership is growing in number of participating students.
Hau said the TCLA has been doing an exceptional job engaging families, adding that they have a Tri City Connect Day, which brings students and families together. One recent activity involved a wax museum, dressing up like historical figures, and then discussing the historical figures.
Hau also mentioned that TCLA Director Mathis recently presented at two conferences, providing information about money savings for the participating districts, and overall a better education for fulltime virtual students.
Hau said other states don’t necessarily co-op on their virtual academies. She said a co-op allows the schools to bring their resources together.
For Newcastle, this means bringing together the six participating school districts.
“Mathis and her team are exceptional,” Hau said. “They have tremendous compassion for students and families, as well as a knowledge for their particular needs.”
Hau said the students are thriving in that program.
Also part of the Board of Education agenda was an update about STRUT Week (Students, Teachers and Racers United Together).
High school students Clare Bebout, Landen Brumley and Brayden Brumley addressed the Board providing information on this year’s recipient, Nicole Gaither, and the launching of a STRUT Week website.
