Joey Cox, health education teacher at the Siloam Springs High School, served as a nurse for 26 years, but she didn't truly find her calling until she began teaching five years ago.
She currently teaches the school's medical classes, including anatomy and physiology, intro to medical professions, medical pathology and human psychology. She also works partners with Captain Daniel Fox, of the Siloam Springs Fire Department, to teach an Emergency Medical Responders course for seniors. After taking the course, they can test to earn their EMR certification.
Cox was recently awarded for her passion for teaching by being New Teacher of the Year by the Arkansas Association for Career and Technical Education. She received the award during the association's convention in Hot Springs on Aug. 2. Angie Hutson, the district's new director career and technical education, also received the ACTE Carl Perkins Community Service Award during the convention for her work in the Paris School District.
Cox was nominated for the New Teacher of the Year award by her fellow health education teachers during the ACTE's 2015 conference. During the year she was required submit an employment portfolio. The selection process included interviews for award finalists, so when Cox didn't hear from the ACTE awards committee, she thought that she was probably out of the running for the award. To her surprise, she received a call asking for an interview on Aug. 30, just a few days before the awards ceremony.
She a was even more surprised when her name was called as New Teacher of the Year during the ceremony. Cox said her legs started to shake as she went up to receive her award.
Cox will go on to compete for the regional ACTE new teacher of the year in Biloxi, Miss., next April. The region includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi. The winner of that competition will compete for the title of national new teacher of the year.
"We're really proud of Joey," said principal Jason Jones.
Jones said that Cox is very deserving of the award. He explained that Cox has a "let's get it done," attitude, puts a lot of time and effort into her work as a teacher and does a great job of establishing relationships with students.
"We are proud to have her representing the school," he said.
Cox worked as a nurse for 26 years in the hospital setting and clinic settings, as well as in home health and most recently as director of nursing for the school district. As nursing director, Cox said she was busy helping people and putting out fires all day long, but she didn't really feel that she was making a long-term impact. When the position for a health science teacher came open, Cox decided give it a try and earn her teaching credentials.
Cox said she likes to give her students plenty of field experience as well as classroom experience so they can decide early on whether or not the medical field is for them. Her students often volunteer to serve as patients for disaster drills with the fire department and hospital, so they can get a taste of what it is like to be in those settings. EMR students also do ride-outs with the Rogers and Bentonville Fire Departments.
Cox said her teaching position has been a perfect fit for her. It is especially rewarding for her to see her students go on and succeed in the medical field.
"I enjoy helping them get excited about what they want to do in life," she said.
General News on 08/31/2016