School employees honored

Kristi Combs, language arts teacher at Liberty Middle School was named Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Madison City Schools officials honored dozens of teachers during Institute Day for their years of service and contributions to the school system.

Of those teachers, Kelly DesRochers, Title 1 intervention teacher at Madison Elementary School was named Elementary Teacher of the Year; Kristi Combs, language arts teacher at Liberty Middle School was named Secondary Teacher of the Year; and Lisa Parkes, clerical aide at Bob Jones High School was named Staff Member of the Year.

Lisa Parkes, clerical aide at Bob Jones High School was named Staff Member of the Year.

“This year our theme is Engage and Empower,” said Dr. Camille Wright, director of Secondary Instruction. “We want teachers to engage and empower their students and to be engaged and empowered to teach the 21st Century learner.”

Wright said this concept was used in the process to choose the teachers of the year.”

The teacher of the year and a staff member of the year are chosen at each school in the spring. At that time the “Prize Patrol,” which includes the superintendent and the directors of instruction, go to each school and award them with a $5,000 check, a Teacher of the Year or Staff Member of the Year pin and a bouquet of balloons and flowers.

“The Teachers of the Year are chosen based on the impact they have had on students and their ability to facilitate learning for all students,” Wright said.

The committee then reviews the teachers’ test data and the recommendations from their peer and administrators.

Kelly DesRochers, Title 1 intervention teacher at Madison Elementary School was named Elementary Teacher of the Year.

“We really want to seek out and reward those teachers who show a true commitment to engage all learners,” she said.

School officials also recognized teachers and staff members who have been with the system for an extended period of time.

The following employees were recognized for:

20 years of service: Rose Brock, Lesa Clough, Kristen Elliott, Terri Gray, Daphne Jah, Brenda Robinson.

25 years of service: Shirley Baldridge, Jane Caudle, Kent Chambers, Patty Faust, Glenda Florence, Melissa Jenkins, Carolyn Parker, Melanie Pickens.

30 years of service: Lynn Crutcher.