Haywood County school board honors teachers, principals and support staff in annual recognition

Haywood County Schools used part of its regular meeting to present the district's annual Celebration of Schools awards, naming teachers, principals and support staff who will advance to the state recognition program.

Miss Beach, who introduced the recognition program, said the district submitted school-level nominations that were reviewed and scored by an honor committee. "Each school determined their level school level candidates and then submitted applications that were reviewed and scored by our honor committee," Miss Beach said. She announced Martin Rodriguez, the culinary arts teacher at Haywood High School, as this year's novice teacher of the year and said he will represent Haywood County at the state level.

The district teacher of the year for the elementary grade band is Yolanda Taylor. Pamela Pickens was named as the middle-grade nominee (recorded as absent), and Anna Roberts was selected as principal of the year after nominations from central office staff and principal peers. Miss Beach also announced Trailblazer Teacher awards for educators working toward licensure, with Chelsea Owens named overall Trailblazer Teacher of the Year.

Support staff awards were presented across grade bands; winners mentioned in the record include Talisa Springfield (elementary), Mandy Stokley (bridge grade band) and Shontay Campbell (high school). Central office staff and principals also selected James Delk as supervisor of the year, and Speaker 2 presented a Superintendent's Choice award to Mister Ogle for extra work, citing his bringing state test-score breakdowns to the superintendent on a weekend.

All awardees named in the meeting will represent Haywood County Schools in the state recognition process. The board moved on to other business after the presentation.