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.
In this “Teacher Feature” we are highlighting the work of Vonna Wood, a 5th grade teacher at McDonough Methodist Academy in McDonough, Georgia. McDonough Methodist Academy is part of the Georgia Association of Educators’ spelling bee program.
Nancy Wallace, the principal at McDonough Methodist Academy, reached out to the Bee about Vonna Wood, who serves as a helper at their school spelling bee. Mrs. Wallace says that Mrs. Wood is worthy of being highlighted because, “her enthusiasm, love, and passion for teaching shows throughout her teaching style every day.” She further explains that “Mrs. Wood has a calling on her life, and that calling is teaching. She teaches her students to strive for excellence, to love reading, and to respect each other; and she teaches all of us to give our best for our students, to wear a smile, to have faith, and to remember that the storms of life can often produce beautiful rainbows and new growth.”
Mrs. Wallace also spoke at length about Mrs. Wood’s dedication to honing her craft and improving as a teacher, stating that she “remains current with the latest instructional strategies and technologies,” and that, “she can accelerate and challenge her brightest of students because of professional development experiences and innovations she has pursued and mastered.”
The Scripps National Spelling Bee would like to thank Mrs. Wood for her dedication to her school's spelling bee program and her service in many different capacities.
If you would like to nominate an educator for an upcoming "Teacher Feature," fill out this brief survey about the teacher you wish to nominate.