Shannon named teacher of the year at MES
Elaine Shannon was named teacher of the year this past week at Marion Elementary School and co-workers Laurie Secrest and Anne Collett were named support staff members of the year.
Shannon has served as the media specialist at MES for nine years, according to Principal Stan Ploutz.
In the media specialist position, Shannon serves as librarian, is the MES school improvement chairman, is a member of the school improvement team, and coordinates data collection for assessments, Ploutz said.
Also nominated for the award were Michelle Adkins, first grade teacher, and Cindy Vinduska, Title I teacher.
Receiving the support staff honors were Secrest and Collett. Both work together as Title I aides, Ploutz said.
"It was fitting they should be named together," Ploutz noted. "Their job is unique in the way they work closely together."
Also nominated for the support staff award were Rebecca Wingfield, Jane Whitwell, and Darla Spencer.
Several teachers and staff were initially nominated for the awards by staff members who wrote letters of recommendation. The letters then were submitted to the school's site council who determined the final nominees in each category.
The names were placed on a ballot and MES staff voted to determine respective winners.
Shannon received a teacher's bell award while Secrest and Collett were awarded Golden Apple awards.
"It's very gratifying to these people to be nominated and selected by their peers," Ploutz said.
