36 | May 26, 2016 | Alpharetta-Roswell Herald | NorthFulton.com
Teachers/Professionals of the Year at North Fulton Schools School Teacher of the Year
Professional of the Year
Elementary Schools Abbotts Hill Lisa Rhodes-Pittman Linda Dickinson Alpharetta Kristen Fredlund Kathleen Blackburn Barnwell Missy Henrich Jennifer Wilson Birmingham Falls Pam King Dixie Byers Cogburn Woods Amy Witt Tracy Hopson Crabapple Crossing Gary Abel Sanjar (Sonny) Khurramov Creek View Helaine Becker Kristin Weger Dolvin Megan Endicott Allison Polaski Findley Oaks Charlotte Hayes Krista Boezi Hembree Springs Emily Clausen Virginia Dilworth Hillside Alexis Fraser Jeanette Cuevas Jackson, Esther Emilie Long Susan Shields Lake Windward Kelly O’Connor Sabrina Hill Manning Oaks Yuri Strom Sandra Machado Medlock Bridge English Avery Tinh Le Mimosa Callie Harcrow Flynn Pustilnik Mountain Park Julie Adams Suzanne Cockrel New Prospect Betty J. Burns Amy Batley Northwood Ryan Dorann Kellen Stark Ocee Brittany Boyajan Linda Stein River Eves Kasey Ellsworth Walter Gauthia Roswell North Aimee Hughes Ashley Polito Shakerag Katherine Rope Supal Patel State Bridge Crossing Amy Showfety Vincent Reese Summit Hill Lisa Jeffcoat Tracy Artis
Teacher: Continued from Page 13
Tongue, who teaches social studies at Elkins Pointe, has a strong belief system that guides her teaching – that all students should be an equal partner in their own education. “I believe that establishing personal relationships with students is as important as teaching them the content,” said Tongue. “I believe that all students deserve respect, love and compassion, regardless of their behavior and attitude toward school.” She said that if all educators “reframed” their thinking about kids and the behaviors they exhibit as cries for help, we would be able to reach more at-risk students. Tongue also believes in creating challenge for students in her classroom while also providing them a safe place
School Teacher of the Year
Professional of the Year
Sweet Apple Jessica Eyre Mary Ann Laughlin Wilson Creek Erin Collins Lori Hennessey Middle Schools Autrey Mill Robin Butler Patricia Welch Crabapple Christine Davidson Aaron Crute Elkins Pointe Meredith Tongue Isaiah James Tyus Haynes Bridge Vanessa Roth Carol Stuhltrager Holcomb Bridge Melanie McCollum Glenn Johnson Hopewell Allison Herndon Holly Schmidt Northwestern Debbi Bement Katherine Wickliffe River Trail Margarita Dragoumaniotis Nina Gangadharan Taylor Road Dr. Monica Ray Peggy Callander Webb Bridge Caroline Kelly Mike Sharp High Schools Alpharetta Kendra Magill Saida Dzaferovic Cambridge Wayne Thompson Diane Ellison Centennial Marie Robinson Laura Wood Chattahoochee Matthew Mihordea Elizabeth Cunningham Independence Cythia Paulsen Ron Lewis Johns Creek Dr. Steve Sweigart Michael Garmon Milton Rebecca Brown Manal McCool Northview Bryan Pidgeon Ryan Yard Roswell Samira Shakhib-Bregeth Megan Huss
to fall and pick themselves up, if they don’t succeed the first time. “If you set expectations high, students will rise to the occasion, no matter what level the class is. Students need to be pushed outside of their comfort zone in small incremental steps to help them realize their own potential,” Tongue said. “It’s important to show them that it’s OK to fail – it’s what you learn from it that is important.” Elkins Point Principal Kindra Smith said that Tongue, who has been nominated as her school’s Teacher of the Year five times in the past five years, is the consummate professional and an excellent example for other educators. “Mrs. Tongue is an amazing teacher, leader and role mode,” said Smith. “She exemplifies the true spirit of being a
teacher and she works hard to ensure that every day her work empowers students to be successful.” Other North Fulton nominees for top staff honors Northeast Learning Community - Neil Pinnock of River Eves Elementary School was selected Principal of the Year; Ryann Doran of Northwood Elementary School was selected as the Teacher of the Year; and Walter Gauthia of River Eves Elementary School was selected School Professional of the Year. Northwest Learning Community – Ed Spurka of Cambridge High School was named the Principal of the Year; and Suzanne Cockrel of Mountain Park Elementary School was selected School Professional of the Year.