Ashe County Board of Education Honors Award Recipients

By Joel Frady

The Ashe County Board of Education took some time before their meeting on Monday, Feb. 2, to honor

several teachers and a principal. Three teachers received their National Board Certification and several teachers received individual Teacher of the Year accolades.

"We're excited all of them could be with us tonight and receive their recognition from the Board of Education," said Ashe County School Superintendent Donnie Johnson. He later added that "they set a great example by them being able to show the excellence in the classroom with what they're doing."

Each honoree was given a plaque and a certificate to commemorate their achievement.

Those honored were:

-Jamie Little of Mountain View Elementary was named the Ashe County Teacher of the Year. Little teaches the second grade and wrote in a press release that "teaching is a rewarding profession that affords the opportunity to impact the lives of other individuals for the betterment of the community."

-Phil Howell of Ashe County High School was named Ashe County's Principal of the Year.

-Thelma Kastl was named the Ashe County High School Teacher of the Year. Kastl teaches technology education.

-Dana Johnson was named the Ashe County Middle School Teacher of the Year. Johnson teaches math and has 28 years of experience.

-Laura McClure was named Blue Ridge Elementary's Teacher of the Year. McClure teaches Spanish to all 512 students at the school.

-Sharon Eldreth was named Westwood Elementary's Teacher of the Year. Eldreth teaches exceptional children in the first, second, third, fourth and sixth grades.

-Cindy Wells of Blue Ridge Elementary School was named Ashe County's Teacher of Excellence for Exceptional Children. Wells was granted the award at the 2008 Exceptional Children's Conference.

-Rachel Shepherd of Ashe County High School received her National Board Certification. Shepherd teaches exceptional children with a focus on social studies and coaches the varsity cheerleaders.

-Kevin Miller of Westwood Elementary School received his National Board Certification. Miller teaches physical education to all 699 students at the school.

-Sara Lambert of Westwood Elementary School received her National Board Certification. Lambert teaches the second grade.

To find out more about the Ashe County Board of Education, call (336) 246-7175 or click to www.ashe.k12.nc.us.