School District announces Teacher of the Year finalists

Here is a news release sent by the St. Johns County School District about the Teacher of the Year finalists:

Three finalists for the 2007-2008 St. Johns County Teacher of the Year have been selected from among 31 nominees. They are Betsy Wetmore of Julington Creek Elementary School (JCES), Jeff Dodd of St. Augustine High School (SAHS) and Kim Rose of Wards Creek Elementary School (WCES).

The winner will be announced at the Teacher of the Year Celebration Banquet on February 19 at the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort.

Ms. Wetmore, a third grade teacher at JCES, has 17 years of teaching experience, with eight of those in St. Johns County. She incorporates Love and Logic into her classroom, a program involving communications techniques that encourage children to solve their own problems. In addition to academics, she teaches her students the importance of good character and doing things for others. Her students are always involved in a number of service projects, and this year they are serving as reading buddies for residents at a nearby retirement center/nursing home. Ms. Wetmore is also an educational leader at her school and is currently serving as Co-Chairman of the School Advisory Council (SAC).

Jeff Dodd, music teacher at SAHS, has taught for 22 years, all in St. Johns County. This is the second time he has been selected for this honor by his school. In addition to directing the SAHS Chorus, Mr. Dodd serves as the director of the St. Johns County Center for the Arts. He is also involved in various music associations at the state level, including serving as an officer of the Florida Vocal Association District 4, the Florida Federation of Color Guard, Winterguard International Board of Directors, Florida Music Educator’s Association and the American Choral Director’s Association.

Kim Rose, music teacher at WCES, has taught music for eight years, including four years at Ketterlinus Elementary School, one year at Mill Creek Elementary School, and two years at parochial schools in Virginia. As the first music teacher at WCES, Ms. Rose volunteered to compose the school song. She taught it to the chorus, who then performed it for the first time during the school dedication ceremonies. At her previous schools Ms. Rose served as SAC Co-Chair for two years and also formed a faculty handbell choir that won first place in the annual Faculty Variety Show.

In addition to the District Teacher of the Year, the Teacher of the Year Celebration will honor the Rookie Teachers of the Year. For the first time two rookie teachers, one for elementary schools and one for secondary schools, will be recognized during the event.

The awards banquet is sponsored by the St. Johns County Education Foundation to recognize excellence in the teaching profession. Proceeds from the banquet will be used to fund Horizon Grants for teachers.