Valerie sixth-grade educator is 2011 Teacher of the Year

May 6, 2011
 Contact: Jill Moberley, Public Information Officer
 For Immediate Release
 
Photo caption: Dayton Public Schools 2011 Teacher of the Year Marcella Barrett (center), Valerie PreK-8, is joined by first runner-up Carol Andrews, Edison PreK-8 (right) and Nancy Vogel, WOW PreK-8.
 
During a reception held at the Dayton Public Schools administration building on Thursday evening, Marcella Barrett was named the 2011 Teacher of the Year.
 
Barrett, a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Valerie PreK-8 School, has taught for the district for eight years. In addition to her education background, she is also a successful published author and community volunteer.
 
District colleagues, community members, Valerie parents and even students submitted recommendation letters on behalf of Barrett’s nomination. Their words paint a clear picture of the dedicated educator: “compassionate,” “she expects more out of my child” and “energetic”.
 
Barrett received the Miami Valley Invention Convention Teacher of Excellence award in 2006, in part through a nomination by a student who noted that Barrett made sure every student understood a math concept that was being taught before she moved on to a new lesson.
 
In 2009, Barrett released a self-published book, And The Tree Cried Out, which encourages students to be good stewards of the Earth. She has presented the book at author events throughout the Miami Valley and beyond.
 
At Valerie, Barrett serves as spelling bee coordinator, Junior National Honor Society advisor, building technology integration coordinator and parent involvement team chair.
 
As Teacher of the Year, Barrett won a crystal bell, a gift certificate good toward a visit to the “Crayons to Classroom” teacher supply store, and a netbook.
 
The Teacher of the Year first runner-up is Carol Andrews, a math and language arts intervention specialist at Edison PreK-8. Andrews, who previously taught at Thurgood Marshall High School, was personally inspired to become a teacher by her son, who was diagnosed with learning disabilities and later went on to become a lawyer. Her classroom method includes getting students to set new learning goals each day and providing the means to help them achieve those goals.
 
Teacher of the Year second runner-up is Nancy Vogel, an art teacher at World of Wonder PreK-8 School. Vogel, who has been with the district since 1994, creates lessons that dovetail with important academic standards in all areas. She is one of 24 National Board Certified Teachers in the district.
 
First and second runners-up received a crystal bell, a visit to the “Crayons to Classroom” store, and a Kindle e-reader.
 
Others in the Top 10 finalist list include: Julie Clausing (Kemp), Lorry Creech (Meadowdale PreK-8), Sheila Finley (River’s Edge), Latoria Marcellus (Patterson Kennedy), Rachael Murdock (Stivers), Sherrie Sanders (Kiser) and Diana Walusis (Wright Brothers).
 
The 13 remaining Teacher of the Year nominees are: Toni Adams (Fairview), Lee Benson (Thurgood Marshall), Jennifer Dixon-Wright (Louise Troy), William Hickey (Gorman), Eli Hurwitz (Ponitz CTC), Donnica Jabari (Gardendale), Alma Morris (Dayton Boys Prep), Jessica Mullen (Cleveland), Jeanne Smith (Westwood), Karen Waitzman (Belle Haven), William Waters (Eastmont), Renita Whitfield (Earley Girls Academy) and Stacey Williams (Wogaman).