Behind every great student is a great teacher. These teachers make learning fun by thinking outside the box and creating classroom experiences that resonate with their students. They serve many roles in their schools, as spelling coaches, school bee coordinators and judges; more often than not, they are motivators who encourage their students to be the best they can be. In the “Teacher Feature,” we celebrate these educators and their commitment to their students' education.
Throughout this school year, we have been proud to bring you stories of educators across the country who make a difference in the lives of their students. The final "Teacher Feature" of the 2015-2016 year highlights one such teacher who has been a dedicated member of her school's faculty for many years. Today's featured teacher is Carole Cercone, a librarian at Julia Ward Howe Elementary School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
As Padma Whitson, a parent who nominated Mrs. Cercone, puts it, "Mrs. Cercone has been central to the learning environment at Howe for years." For twelve years, Mrs. Whitson's children have attended Howe Elementary, and she has been a longtime observer of the impact that Mrs. Cercone makes on the kindergarten through fifth grade students with whom she interacts. Mrs. Whitson expressed, "My husband and I could not begin to thank Mrs. Cercone for all she has done for the kids at Howe."
According to Mrs. Whitson, Mrs. Cercone has been dedicated to the spelling bee program at Howe Elementary since it began nine years ago. As both the pronouncer for the school bee as well as a friendly face for students participating in the competition for years, "all of the kids have benefited from her encouragement and calming presence." In fact, Howe Elementary's first school spelling bee winner is graduating from high school this year!
The Scripps National Spelling Bee would like to thank Mrs. Cercone for her continued dedication to her school spelling bee program for nearly a decade. We are sure that the Whitson family is only one of many who appreciate everything that she does for her school and its students.
If you would like to nominate an educator for an upcoming “Teacher Feature,” fill out this brief survey about the teacher you wish you nominate.