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- News Archives: 2010-2017
GCS Names Rookie Teacher and Mentor of the Year
Teachers Katie Roquemore and Kristen Sipe have something in common. They believe forming relationships is important, and they know how to draw out the best in their students and coworkers. Both teachers also received recognition today for serving as examples of excellence in teaching this year.
Guilford County Schools (GCS) and the Guilford Education Alliance named Roquemore, a first-year teacher from Weaver Academy, the Rookie Teacher of the Year. She also was named the Secondary Rookie Teacher of the Year.
"Simply put, our students are all the better because Katie Roquemore is their teacher," said Weaver Principal Johncarlos Miller. "In addition to the wonderful learning environment Ms. Roquemore creates in her classroom and the school, she also exemplifies her belief that a child's teacher must be a positive role model."
Roquemore teaches 10th and 11th grade English as well as Speech and Debate classes at Weaver. Miller says she has worked tirelessly this year to bring students out of their shell, getting them to speak and write about their life experiences and what they are feeling. Even though she experienced a resistance to writing and reading among her students at first, she knew building positive, caring relationships was the key to their growth and her own.
"As you build relationships with students, do not be surprised if you end up learning more from your students than you could possibly teach them in your brief time together," she said.
Along with the Rookie Teacher of the Year honor, Roquemore received $500 and a scholarship to pursue a master's degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Roquemore was one of five finalists who were recognized for impressive accomplishments early in their teaching careers. Jessica Cundiff, a teacher at Southwest Elementary, received the Elementary Rookie Teacher of the Year award and $500. Finalists Karen Roseboro from Sternberger Elementary, Miguel Gomez from Northeast Middle and Christal MacLamroc from Welborn Academy of Science and Technology each received $100. The awards were made possible thanks to the generous support of BB&T and UNCG.
To ease the transition into a new school year for beginning teachers, veteran educators throughout GCS serve an important and necessary role as mentors. Kristen Sipe, teacher at Morehead Elementary, was named this year's Rosalyn Tanner Orr Mentor of the Year. Sipe was nominated by her mentee Caitlin Troxler, who says she has provided her with advice and guidance to help her become a more confident teacher.
"Mrs. Sipe has been everything a mentor should be and more," said Troxler. "She gives teaching and being a mentor 110 percent. It has been an honor to be her mentee, and I owe her many thanks for making my first year as a teacher such a positive one."
Sipe has been a mentor to more than just one teacher. For the past several years, she has arrived at the school early in the summer to set up her "Model Classroom" so she can share tips, resources and motivation with new first-year teachers.
"As teachers, we want nothing more in life than to watch someone excel and make a difference in the world. After all, this is why we do what we do each day," said Sipe. "When you have a passion for teaching and helping others, what greater responsibility and success can you have than to be a mentor to a wonderful, first year teacher?"
Additional finalists for Mentor of the Year were Latoya Dutton from Foust Elementary, Melissa Hosey from McIver Education Center, Melissa LaFemina from Wiley Elementary and Rebecca McKnight from Northern Middle. Sipe received $1,000 for winning the award, and the finalists received $100 each. The mentees who nominated each of the finalists received a $50 gift card for educational supplies.
The Mentor of the Year award is made possible by the Endowment for Excellence in Education of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. It is named in memory of Rosalyn Tanner Orr. Orr received a master's degree in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Gifted as an artist, writer and teacher, she saw first-hand the impact that a great mentor makes, and she took it upon herself to secure funding to make the award possible. Orr served most recently as executive director of The Barnabas Network in Greensboro. With Barnabas, she worked tirelessly to help families and children without homes find shelter and stability.