Hines Named 2009-10 Ashe County Schools Teacher of the Year

By Joel Frady

Sherrie Hines of Ashe County Middle School can add yet another award to her mantle, as the 2009 Region 7

Teacher of the Year was named the 2009-10 Ashe County Schools Teacher of the Year on Thursday, April 23. Hines, who teaches math at the middle school, was named the Ashe County Middle Teacher of the year by her peers and the Region 7 Teacher of the Year by the North Carolina Middle School Association.

Phil Howell, the principal of Ashe County High School, was on the committee that selected Hines and said that she was chosen because "her excitement and passion is just contagious.

"I was extremely pleased with all the candidates," said Howell. "They were a very exciting group. It's always nice to hear educators who display that passion for education, to hear them talk about their profession and what students mean to them." The other nominees were: Scott Turnmyre, instrumental music and band teacher at Ashe County high; Courtney Eller, a third grader teacher at Blue Ridge Elementary; Ruth Turnmire, literary specialist at Mountain View Elementary; and Billie Gardner, technology facilitator at Westwood Elementary.

Howell noted that "Mrs. Hines did a superb job in the interview process, and her passion showed through for her chosen career, her care for kids." He said that "all she's done for county education played a great part in it as well; she's been involved in many things, everything from the beginning steps of various programs that have been initiated at the middle school and throughout the county."

Hines grew up in Sparta, where she still resides with her husband, Doyle. She originally went to Appalachian State University to study biology, and is certified to teach science and math. After graduating from ASU in 2001, she got a job teaching science at ACMS, but after two years she "got shifted into a math classroom and it stuck."

"I'm really happy, really excited," she said of her latest award. "I guess the state of shock still hasn't sunk in yet.

"It's a little surreal and it's hard to believe it," she continued. "I just work with such great people and I really appreciate all of their help, all of the support." Hines noted that the recognition has made her aware that she wants to stay in the classroom.

"I've had a lot of peers talk about taking jobs as administrators or librarians, and I just know that I want to spend [my career] in the classroom with the students," she said after being named the Region 7 Teacher of the Year Hines noted that the school "like a family. If you have a problem you can go to anybody in the school and they're going to back you up. They help you out when you need help. It's a good environment, a good atmosphere to work in."

Bobby Ashley, principal of ACMS, said that Hines is "absolutely stellar" and that the test scores of her students are "always at the top."

Hines is now eligible to compete in the Northwest North Carolina Teacher of the Year competition, which will begin in September. To find out more about the N.C. Teacher of the Year program, click to www.ncpublicschools.org/recruitment/recognition/toy.