NCSD teachers recognized for education contributions

A much anticipated event honoring the efforts of local educators took place at the NyE Communities Coalition campus on Saturday.

The 15th annual Stand for Children Day/Teacher of the Year celebration recognized eight local teachers in the community.

The event was punctuated with entertainment from more than a half dozen students performing dance and song recitals.

Nye County School District Superintendent Dale Norton, who provided the closing remarks following the celebration, said many times teachers do not receive enough recognition for their tireless work and dedication year in and year out.

He noted that the teachers are selected by their fellow teachers from each campus.

“It’s a great opportunity to recognize all of the teachers from across our schools here in southern Nye County as well as our Community Christian Academy. In each school the process is a little bit different but it’s ultimately up to the campus on how they select the teachers. As always we have the JR. ROTC bringing the colors in and out,” Norton said.

First to be honored at the ceremony was Denise Crow, who is completing her third year at Community Christian Academy.

Crow was described as having a low-key classroom management style that allows her to accomplish her daily goals.

More than 86 percent of her students are on the academy’s honor roll.

Faculty members from Floyd Elementary School chose Kathleen Eisner, who organizes Reading Week and Literacy Night for the school, as the school’s teacher of the year.

Both staff and students said Eisner is deeply involved in school-related activities while her lessons are described as fun, hands-on and very engaging.

Stephanie Brooks was the sole librarian selected for the honor.

Peers say Brooks volunteers during regular school events including Movie and Literacy Night as well as assemblies and students said her sunny disposition makes the campus environment much brighter.

At J.G. Johnson Elementary, Ruthy Andresen was selected as Teacher of the Year 2014.

Students call Andresen’s attitude “happy-go-lucky” as she always arrives to work with a bright smile and a few light-hearted jokes.

Fellow faculty members complimented the first-grade teacher on her genuine concern for her students’ progress and growth throughout the year.

At Manse Elementary, Pamela Tehuiotoa goes by the name of Mrs. “T.”

Tehuiotoa has taught in Nye County for more than 20 years in numerous grade levels and helped to establish the Select Choir and Recorder Club. Both recently performed at a multi-school concert.

A few years ago she traveled to Las Vegas to complete extra course work and become a certified music teacher.

Bonnie Chenevert oversees the accomplishments of both middle and high school students at Pathways.

Chenevert, who communicates weekly with more than 50 students on her caseload is responsible for creating custom elective courses for students via a computer program, known as OddysseyWare, to help students “fill in the gaps” in their respective studies.

The instructor is credited with much of the success Pathways has achieved this year.

Instructors at the middle and high school level were also recognized for their excellence in the classroom.

Rosemary Clarke Middle School’s Greg Severts is a special-assignment teacher with an emphasis on student achievement, intervention and attendance.

Faculty members credit Severts’ work as crucial in increasing the daily average attendance on the campus and training staff on numerous forms of new data from his attendance in educational conferences over the years.

David Harris is the chair of PVHS’ social studies department and serves as the campus advisor of the school’s Key Club.

He is described as an outstanding instructor and mentor who “sets the bar high for his students and expects all to reach their maximum potential.”

Rev. Julie Platson, of St. Martin’s in the Desert Episcopal Church, who emceed the ceremony, summed up her thoughts following the event.

“I am reminded of the influence our teachers have on our children, and how much they give of themselves year after year, and how they are continually finding new ways to reach out to our children. Continually looking for new, creative ways of teaching. In an ever-changing society, this is no easy task. I know all of us sitting here, can always think back and remember a teacher, or several teachers, whose influence has stayed with us throughout our life,” she said.