The Garden City Telegram
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Teachers recognized for excellence
Published 11/19/2009 in Local News
By MONICA SPRINGER
Jamie Terry told a story to an audience of about 100 people on Wednesday night at the Clarion Inn as she accepted her Crystal Apple Award.
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Brad Nading/Telegram Jamie Terry, left, Roger Syng and Julie Nemechek chat after being named the Crystal Apple Teacher award winners Wednesday during a ceremony at the Clarion Inn.
There was a little boy in her classroom a few years ago who asked her a question about a set of twin girls also in Terry's class.
"He asked me, 'Mrs. Terry, which one's real?'" she told the audience.
The audience laughed, and Terry said one of the main reasons she enjoys her job is because she never knows what little children will say or do next.
Terry, second-grade teacher at Victor Ornelas Elementary School, is one of three Finney County teachers who received the Crystal Apple Award Wednesday night.
Terry, Roger Syng, English, language arts and social studies teacher at Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center, and Julie Nemechek, a math teacher at Holcomb Middle School, each received an engraved crystal apple, $1,000, and a laptop provided by Cox Communications.
Runners-up for the award were Mark Calvin, history teacher at Garden City High School, Leslie Wagner, a fifth-grade teacher at Charles O. Stones, and Rico Perez, technology teacher at Abe Hubert Middle School. Each runner up received $250.
Terry said after the awards ceremony that it was an honor to be chosen as a Crystal Apple finalist.
"It's very humbling," she said. "It's just amazing."
Syng said the award was a result of 10 years of hard work. And when he spoke to the audience after he was named a winner, he said he's grown to love Garden City in the years he's been here.
"My life is a treat," he said. "I never thought this would happen."
Nemechek said through tears that education is a profession people go into to impact young people's lives.
"Education is not about things, it's about people," she said. "It's a wonderful honor to be nominated to be recognized for such an award."
The six finalists took time after the awards presentation to pose for photos and hug colleagues and friends.
Before the awards were announced, principals at each building where the Crystal Apple nominees teach spoke to the audience of the strengths of the teachers.
Heath Hogan, principal at Victor Ornelas, said Terry has all of the qualities needed in a teacher, including hard work, dedication, empathy and compassion.
"She's deserving of the recognition," he said.
Janet Smith, principal at Charles O. Stones, said Syng cares for his students deeply and celebrates diversity in his classroom. And like a garden flourishing under its caretaker, students flourish with Syng as their teacher, she said.
Chad Krug, principal at Holcomb Middle School, said Nemechek sees each student as an individual.
"She's a dynamic and dedicated educator loved by students," Krug said.
Sponsors of of the event include St. Catherine Hospital, First National Bank of Garden City, Cox Communications, Garden City Public Schools Foundation, The Garden City Telegram, Golden Plains Credit Union, doctors Darin and Gloria Hopkins, Dr. Luther and Ardis Fry, Dr. Eric and Jena Fry, Dr. William and Jean Clifford, Clarion Inn and Conference Center, Staples Inc. and Coleen's Trophies & Gifts.
Found 1 comment(s)!
Jamie Terry
I am so proud to have you as my sister. One of the greatest teachers!!
Posted by: Joanne Bowles on 11/23/2009
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