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SUSAN M.
WARD, WI-HI ENGLISH TEACHER, NAMED WICOMICO CO. TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Susan M. Ward, an English teacher at
Wicomico High School throughout her 31-year career, was recognized for her
outstanding work in the classroom Wednesday, March 21, when she was named
2007-08 Wicomico Teacher of the Year.
Interim Superintendent of Schools
Thomas B. Field and Board of Education President Robin Holloway announced
Ward’s honor at the end of the annual Wicomico County Teacher of the Year
Awards Banquet. The event, whose theme was “Teachers: The Real Stars,” was
held at The Commons at Salisbury University with more than 250 people in
attendance.
“I believe that as a teacher it
is my job to encourage, inspire and direct students to realize their
potential,” wrote Ward in her Teacher of the Year writing prompt.
“Many times students feel insecure about their abilities, and as a teacher
I try to give them opportunities to develop their talents and skills, to
help them ‘shine.’ When a student gets excited about something he never
thought he could tackle, that is rewarding.”
Ward’s nomination for Teacher of the
Year came from a “very grateful parent” who gave the teacher a report card
on areas such as attitude, effectiveness, rapport with children and
planning skills. The parent said Ward deserves the top grade of 4 in every
category, for super. “Susan Ward is outstanding because she is an
understanding teacher, one who uses a variety of techniques for her
students ... Her report card says it all!”
Wicomico's new Teacher of the Year
will begin her year in style, arriving at Wicomico High School at 8:30
a.m. Thursday chauffeured in a classic 1949 Buick provided for the
occasion by Wicomico music teacher and auto enthusiast Buck Burton. Her
students and fellow Wi-Hi staff members will turn out to greet her when
she arrives, and Ward will then be whisked to the school’s TV studio to
appear on a schoolwide broadcast. Later this year, Ward will represent
Wicomico County Public Schools in the Maryland Teacher of the Year
contest.
Ward received her bachelor’s and
master’s degrees from Salisbury State College. She began her teaching
career in 1976 and has spent her entire career as an English teacher at Wi-Hi,
where she now chairs the English Department. In addition to pursuing
professional development opportunities for herself at the local, state and
national level, “I try to encourage my colleagues, offer assistance with
planning and classroom management, and make available to them any
professional growth opportunities that are offered,” Ward said.
Through the curriculum, Ward has
taken drama students to preschools and nursing homes to read to students
and perform for senior citizens. She has participated in and encouraged
student involvement in creating, maintaining and making use of the school
memorial garden, which was created by the Student Government Association.
Her classes have twice been the school’s leading fund-raisers for March of
Dimes, have collected and donated materials to the Salvation Army through
the Have a Heart Campaign, and have participated in the school’s annual
canned food drive. |
