Teachers of the Year recognized

Janelle Jessen/Siloam Sunday Teachers of the year were recognized during Thursday's school board meeting. Pictured, from left, are Doug Hartman, Middle School teacher of the year; Aimee Morrell, representative of Middle School Adopters; Umia Fullerton, Northside Elementary School teacher of the year; Debi Selby, Northside Elementary School Adopters representative; Keli Sumter, Intermediate School teacher of the year; Nena Houston, Intermediate School Adopters representative; Amanda Ward, Allen Elementary School teacher of the year; Bobby Reed, Allen Elementary School Adopters representative; Lanna Hardy, Main Street Academy teacher of the year; State Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R-District 87), Main Street Academy Adopters representative; Alishia Morris, Southside Elementary School teacher of the year; Patti Eiland, Southside Elementary School Adopters representative; Megan Denison, Siloam Springs High School teacher of the year; and Anne Martfeld, SSHS principal. Jake Wilmont, SSHS Adopters representative is not pictured.
Janelle Jessen/Siloam Sunday Teachers of the year were recognized during Thursday's school board meeting. Pictured, from left, are Doug Hartman, Middle School teacher of the year; Aimee Morrell, representative of Middle School Adopters; Umia Fullerton, Northside Elementary School teacher of the year; Debi Selby, Northside Elementary School Adopters representative; Keli Sumter, Intermediate School teacher of the year; Nena Houston, Intermediate School Adopters representative; Amanda Ward, Allen Elementary School teacher of the year; Bobby Reed, Allen Elementary School Adopters representative; Lanna Hardy, Main Street Academy teacher of the year; State Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R-District 87), Main Street Academy Adopters representative; Alishia Morris, Southside Elementary School teacher of the year; Patti Eiland, Southside Elementary School Adopters representative; Megan Denison, Siloam Springs High School teacher of the year; and Anne Martfeld, SSHS principal. Jake Wilmont, SSHS Adopters representative is not pictured.

Six teachers of the year -- one from each school in the Siloam Springs district -- were recognized during Thursday's school board meeting.

Teachers of the year were Megan Denison, Siloam Springs High School; Lanna Hardy, Main Street Academy; Doug Hartman, Middle School; Keli Sumter, Intermediate School; Alishia Morris, Southside Elementary School; Amanda Ward, Allen Elementary School; and Umia Fullerton, Northside Elementary.

The teachers in each school building voted to choose their teacher of the year, according to Kelly Svebek, district director of assessment and accountability. They are selected for their exceptional dedication, knowledge and skill as a teacher, love for students, ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn, and the respect and admiration of their peers, she said.

"Each year in May, buildings select a teacher that exemplifies the finest qualities of the profession," Svebek said. "The intent is never to single out one that is better than all of the others, but simply one that has all of those great qualities that all of our teachers have."

The school board room was packed with friends and family members of the teachers during the award presentation. Each building principal introduced their school's Adopters representative, then the Adopters representative introduced the teacher of the year, sharing a biography of the teacher and comments from their peers. Teachers of the year were also presented with plaques.

The Adopters Program is a combined project of the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce, the business community and parent teacher organizations, according to the Chamber website, www.siloamchamber.com. Adopters groups raise money and help provide for the needs of each school.

"I firmly believe that the cornerstone of American Democracy is public education and the teachers who give so willingly of their time, energy and effort," said Superintendent Ken Ramey. "I salute every one of you who are honored here tonight."

General News on 09/16/2018