Swain County Schools Teacher Advisory Council

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1 Swain County Schools Teacher Advisory Council The Teacher Advisory Council provides the opportunity for teacher leaders to engage in meaningful, reflective dialogue with the Superintendent and/or Associate Superintendent focused on teaching and learning. The TAC council is comprised of 10 teacher leaders (current and previous Teachers of the Year). TAC members are the point contact for people in their district, specifically their school. A TAC member will: Engage in dialogue focused on improving our schools and accomplishing the three goals delineated in the districts strategic plan. Discuss ideas and mutual concerns of the school district, and return to schools with viable options/solutions. Confer about ways to strengthen existing teaching and learning to benefit all students. To gather information that can be taken back to schools as well as provide feedback on a variety of issues ranging from budget and policy to safety, curriculum, classroom issues, professional development, special education, budget, EVAAS, NCEES, Read to Achieve, 25% teacher contracts. This list is not inclusive and can be revised based on TAC members needs and concerns. 2013/2014 Teacher Advisory Council Members Bio s Trish Chapman Bright Adventures Pre-K Teacher of the Year Trish Chapman was raised in Wilkesboro, NC. She attended Western Carolina University where she obtained a bachelor s degree and a master s degree in Birth Kindergarten education. Ms. Chapman is married to Kenny Chapman and they have a 2 ½ year old daughter, Khloe. What do you want to leave behind as a legacy in education? I want my students to remember me as the teacher who taught them to love learning, that you can always try again, and that they are of value. What do you like best about Swain County Schools? From my first year with Swain County Schools I have felt supported by my co-workers and the parents I work with daily.

2 Danelle Dickens Bright Adventures Pre-K Teacher of the Year Danelle Dickens was raised in Madison, NC. She attended Western Carolina University where she obtained a bachelor s degree in Birth to Kindergarten education. Mrs. Dickens is married to Brian Dickens, they have 2 sons, Tommy, age 5 and Lucas, age 3. What do you want to leave behind as a legacy in education? I want to instill a love of learning from the beginning, both with the children I teach and their families. What do you like best about Swain County Schools? Small community of people who take care of one another and most importantly it s students. Shauna Plemmons East Elementary Teacher of the Year Shauna was raised in Reidsville, NC. She attended Western Carolina University where obtained a bachelor s degree and a master s degree in Special Education. Mrs. Plemmons is married to Greg Plemmons of Sylva. They have 3 sons: Twins Bryan (passed away 9/15/12) & Brandon, and Sam. They also have their loyal dogs: Lizy, Jack, Blackie, Buddie and Puppy. What do you want to leave behind as a legacy in education? Always inspiring my students to be the BEST that they can be! And, giving only my BEST and then some. What do you like best about Swain County Schools? The dedication and compassion I see the Teachers, Staff and Administration have for the students.

3 Amanda Sutton East Elementary Teacher of the Year Amanda was raised in Bryson City, NC. She attended Western Carolina University where she obtained a bachelor s degree in Elementary Education. Amanda is married to Brandon Sutton. They have two daughters, Sarabeth and Abbygail. What do you want to leave behind as a legacy in education? I want my students to say they learned a lot while in my room and they had fun doing it. I want to be a positive influence on children and instill in them a lifelong love for learning. What do you like best about Swain County Schools? Swain County Schools is more like a family. We take care of our own. There is a strong sense of pride throughout the system. Jenifer Marr West Elementary Teacher of the Year Jennifer was raised in Miami, Florida. She obtained her bachelor s degree in Elementary Education at Western Carolina University. Jenifer is married to John Marr, Jr. and has two sons, Elijah and John (6 & 7 years old). What do you want to leave behind as a legacy in education? I hope to be a positive influence in the lives of my students as well as my co-workers. I hope to instill in my students the understanding that their lives are valuable and purposeful. What do you like best about Swain County Schools? I love how well we all work together for the good of the kids. I work with some amazing people both at West Elementary and throughout the Swain County School system. I really like the shared vision that we do what is best for kids. I feel that is the underlying current throughout the county.

4 Gina Bradley West Elementary Teacher of the Year Gina was raised in Bryson City, NC. She obtained a bachelor s degree in Elementary Education at Western Carolina University. Gina is married to Vincen Bradley and they have 3 sons, Evan, Zeke, and Jake. What do you want to leave behind as a legacy in education? I want to leave behind a value of an education. An education is so important and can help you reach all your goals in life. I also would like to leave behind a legacy of being kind to others and helping someone every day. I think that if we can reflect on each day and know that you were kind to others and were able to help someone then we had a successful day. What do you like best about Swain County Schools? What I like best about Swain County Schools is the fact that everyone feels like family. Family is a tradition at Swain County Schools. The school system is one big family. We help each other out and take care of one another. We also reach out to families of our students. We as a school system do a whole lot to educate and involve families with their child s education. I think a lot of school districts need to go back and look at building a family within their school system as we do here in Swain County. It strengthens everyone and everything. Family is the most important thing and that is what I love about our school system. Judy Blevins Swain Middle Teacher of the Year Judy was raised in Bryson City, NC. She attended Western Carolina University where she obtained a bachelor s degree in Middle Grades Education. Judy is married to Jim Blevins and has one daughter, Denise Walkingstick. What do you want to leave behind as a legacy in education? I would like to be remembered as a fair and caring teacher. A person who tried to make a difference in each child. What do you like best about Swain County Schools? Swain County Schools are home. You know your students and in my case I ve taught the parents as well as the students. The parents are welcome to stop by and talk about things to do to help the students. It s a small school, but we are up to par with everyone else or way beyond other schools with our technology. I think we do a great job preparing our students for the 21 st century.

5 Janet Shuler Swain Middle Teacher of the Year Janet was raised in Bryson City, NC. She attended Western Carolina University where she obtained a bachelor s degree in Special Education. Janet is married to Danny Shuler and has two children, Colton 3 and Clayton 6. What do you want to leave behind as a legacy in education? I want to make school (and the educational system) a better place for students that struggle. I want them to feel like they belong and are learning information that will help them be successful in life. What do you like best about Swain County Schools? The people! From bus drivers, cafeteria workers, teachers, and up everyone cares about our students. They want to help them be successful. Dawn Gilchrist-Young Swain High Teacher of the Year Dawn was raised in Bryson City, NC. She attended Western Carolina where earned her bachelor s degree, Columbia University where she earned her Master s degree and Warren Wilson where she received her MFA. Dawn has a daughter, Aaron Young, a dog, Sadie Mae; cat, Yona Fuzzy Britches. What do you want to leave behind as a legacy in education? I have learned over the years that conveying content may be the least important part of teaching, while making students understand what is remarkable about being human may be the most important part of teaching. What do you like best about Swain County Schools? I like our unique demographics, the depth of caring among my colleagues, and the endless potential of my students.

6 Judy Wilson Swain High Teacher of the Year Judy was raised in Andrews, NC. She obtained her bachelor s degree in Nursing at Western Carolina University and a Master s in Public Health at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Judy has 2 grown sons. What do you want to leave behind as a legacy in education? I would like my legacy to be that my students remember me in a positive way. I would like to leave a positive impression on my students. I hope my greatest contribution is that I have helped to prepare them for their future, no matter where that takes them. What do you like best about Swain County Schools? I love the family atmosphere whose focus is the youth of Swain County.