Six local educators win middle school awards

By Lynn Hotaling

Smokey Mountain Elementary teacher Mary Slagle was named Middle Grade Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the N.C. Association of Social Studies Teachers.

The statewide award is just one of several honors Slagle has received during the past two years. A former SMES Teacher of the Year, Slagle was honored as a WLOS Teacher of the Week and was named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year last year.

Slagle also received an award from the Eastern Band of Cherokee's Tribal Council for her intensive studies of Native American culture.

Her classes participate in a program called "From the Mountains to the Sea," a cooperative effort Slagle helped create during which students write to "Pen Pals" at middle schools in other regions of North Carolina and participate in other activities to share regional culture.

Fairview's eighth-grade team - Mickey Cook, Pat Newman, Angie Dills, Marianna Kesgen and Sarah Beddingfield - was named the Region 8 Team of the Year by the N.C. Middle School Association.

The local team was selected based on its outstanding performance in building team identity, curriculum knowledge and integration, student achievement and success and special team activities.

For Fairview's eighth-grade team, curriculum integration among language arts, math, science, social studies and computer technology is a continuous process.

"They strive throughout the year to integrate subject areas in a variety of methods and approaches," said Fairview Principal Sue Nations. "Care is given that students meet all their class members through diverse grouping."

Under the direction of the award-winning teaching team, Fairview's eighth-graders participate in learning activities outside the normal parameters of the classroom. By integrating subject areas and allowing the students to explore a "hands-on" approach, the team is able to capitalize on enthusiasm for subjects.

Each fall students take part in an outdoor classroom at Apple Tree Campground where they explore stream life, archaeology, team-building and social skills.

The teaching team also leads a five-day trip that takes their students across North Carolina to study saltwater marshes, sea birds, plant life and state history.

Back to Archive: 04/26/01.