Greenville County Schools Names Two Emerging Teachers of the Year
Awards Presented by Greenville Federal Credit Union
In addition to naming Taunja Pool, Summit Drive Elementary teacher, the 2011-12 Greenville County Teacher of the Year, Superintendent Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher today announced two Emerging Teachers of the Year.
Amy Lewis, a fourth grade teacher at Bell’s Crossing Elementary, was named the Elementary Level Emerging Teacher of the Year, while Jenna James, Social Studies teacher at Travelers Rest High, was named Secondary Level Emerging Teacher of the Year.
The Emerging Teachers of the Year Program, sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union, recognizes a second or third year teacher for outstanding performance. Each winner receives $500, a crystal award, and $500 for their school.
Elementary Level
Amy Lewis
Fourth Grade • Bell’s Crossing Elementary
Amy Lewis’s love of science is evident with the amount of time she has spent overhauling her school’s fourth grade science curriculum, preparing inquiry-based science lab experiences, organizing a virtual field trip on animals and environments, sharing her pet tree frog, and serving as a district science fair judge.
She embraces Stephen Covey’s character habits by incorporating a common language throughout the curriculum. Students learn the importance of teamwork through cooperative learning experiences in activities such as literature groups, peer revising, hands-on math stations, and inquiry-based science labs.
The classroom experience for her students is further enhanced by her use of quality tools and the Malcolm Baldrige model for continuous improvement, which was recently observed by a team of educators from the lower part of the state seeking to understand more about this successful model of education.
Secondary Level
Jenna James
Social Studies • Travelers Rest High
There is no question that Jenna James, Travelers Rest High social studies teacher, means serious business in the classroom. This outstanding educator is in command of her classroom and creates a non-threatening environment with new opportunities for students each day. She meets each student’s needs through a variety of instruction methods so that each achieves above his or her potential.
Ms. James engages students in meaningful and relevant assignments, conducts numerous parent conferences, and reviews extensive data to find the best possible methods of reaching her students. Her peers are impressed by her passion and energy for education and young people, working tirelessly to reach her goals and make an impact on students. She continues to prove herself with impressive End-of-Course Test scores.