Woman Honored As Putnam Teacher of Year Honors
Posted on: Wednesday, 23 July 2008, 00:00 CDT
Judy Berry has been selected as Putnam County Teacher of the Year for 2008-09.
Nominated by her peers at George Washington Elementary School where she teaches first grade, Berry was first named Elementary School Teacher of the Year before attaining county Teacher of the Year status.
Berry knew she wanted to be a teacher from the time she was in junior high school, when she was recruited by a teacher to work in a summer program with struggling elementary students. Working one-on- one with young children, she felt the rewards of opening a world to young learners. From that time, Berry said she was hooked.
Berry, who strives to instill that same love of learning in her students, has followed her own love of learning to Glenville State College, where she obtained a degree in early childhood education with a specialization in social studies, and to Marshall University Graduate College, where she has obtained reading certification and will complete a master's degree in reading education in August. She has also completed additional post graduate work at the University of Virginia, James Madison University, Virginia Western Community College, and the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies.
Berry began her teaching career in Fayette County in 1974. She taught in Kanawha County and Roanoke, Va., before coming to Putnam County. She has taught every grade at the elementary level.
Besides her classroom activities, Berry is active in many other aspects of her profession. She is chairwoman of the George Washington Elementary Curriculum Team and a member of the School Strategic Planning Team and the Technology Team. She has also served on the county's Writing Curriculum Committee and Math Leadership Team.
Nearly 10 years ago, Berry attained teaching's highest certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Today, she mentors teachers who are seeking national board certification for Putnam County Schools and the state Department of Education, and she has served as an evaluator and presenter for the national board.
"I feel it is my responsibility to set the bar high for all students," she said. "I believe the higher my expectations, the harder my students will strive to achieve.
"Educating a child takes a team - the parent, the teacher, and the child, working together toward a common goal. Parents are usually well aware of their child's strengths and weaknesses, and they need a good listening ear to air their concerns about many things, including the community, the school, and family matters."
Even after 34 years in the classroom, Berry remains enthusiastic about her role in the life of children. "I have learned that I can make such a difference in a child's life, which is very empowering but also very intimidating, and definitely challenging every day," she said.
(c) 2008 Charleston Daily Mail. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: Charleston Daily Mail
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