Felicia Tarturo, a teacher from Liberty High School, receives her certificate from Region Superintendent Andre Denson during the annual Teacher Recognition Luncheon on Nov. 20 at Green Valley Ranch.
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 | midnight
Henderson teachers who were honored
Elementary schools
- Selma Bartlett — Kim Sorenson
- David Cox — Tanya Steele
- John A. Dooley Elementary — Jennifer Adams
- Fay Galloway Elementary — Wendy Lane
- James Gibson — Patrea Burton
- Edna Hinman — Lisa Luke
- Lorna Kesterson — Michael Donald
- Gordon McCaw — Jaymee Pelayo
- Nate Mack — Eve Olson
- Estes McDoniel — Jennifer Ranney-Poole
- Sue Morrow — Rhiannon McGowan
- Ulis Newton — Michele Monnig
- Aggie Roberts — Laurie Rice
- C.T. Sewell — David Hardy
- James E. and A. Rae Smalley — Meg Bryson
- Glen Taylor — Lisa Lapidus
- Robert Taylor — Kim Stubitz
- Jim Thorpe — Mike Wiatt
- Harriet Treem — Amanda Kohley
- Neil Twitchell — Peggy Wilson
- John C. Vanderburg — Cathy Estes
- J. Marlan Walker International School — Maggie Manners
- Elise L. Wolff — Laetena Bozek
Middle schools
- B. Mahlon Brown — Rodney Knudson
- Lyal Burkholder — Barbara Garrett
- Barbara and Hank Greenspun — John Mihelcic
- Jack and Terry Mannion — Kelli Sager
- Bob Miller — Jennifer Petrick
- Del Webb — Alana Hallman
- Thurman White — Leslie Castleberry
High schools
- Basic — Joe Stellavato
- Coronado — Jeffrey Johnson
- Foothill — Carrie Fleming
- College of Southern Nevada — David Brodersen
- Green Valley — Michelle Matherly
- Liberty High — Felicia Tarturo
- Nevada State College — Jason Lee
- Southeast Career Technical Academy — Joni Jones
Nearly 40 Henderson teachers gathered with their administrators on Thursday to receive words and certificates of thanks for their work in the classroom.
The luncheon, held at Green Valley Ranch Resort, is an annual event sponsored by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce to honor Henderson teachers in kindergarten through college level for the work they do.
Each teacher received a bundle of certificates of recognition, including a joint certificate from the chamber and Cox Communications and certificates from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Mayor James B. Gibson.
They also received a gift from Royal Doulton and two gift cards, one from Cox for $50 at the Galleria at Sunset mall and another from Salon Triage for a free haircut.
"I think sometimes we forget to recognize teachers," said Clark County School Board Mary Beth Scow, who represents Henderson, said. "It's nice to have a real positive message."
Each school was allowed to come up with its own method for choosing the recipient. Some schools allowed teachers to vote, while others had administrators choose. Recognized teachers ranged from relatively new to well-experienced.
James E. and A. Rae Smalley Elementary School Principal Pam Simone said she, her assistant principal and a counselor chose teacher Meg Bryson.
"The first person that came out of our mouths was the same person," she said. "She happens to be a second-year teacher, but she's just so dynamic. … She has the students' best interest at heart."
Bryson wasn't the only second-year teacher recognized. Amanda Kohley of Harriet Treem Elementary School, also a second year teacher, attended the luncheon.
Assistant Principal Tony Gelsone accompanied her. Principal Sharon Garhardt chose Kohley, he said, but he had a few ideas why she may have done so.
"It's just my opinion, but she's doing a phenomenal job," Gelsone said. "You would never even guess that she's a second-year teacher. She has just jumped in to every kind of program or committee we have here."
Andre Denson, Southeast Region superintendent, and Steve Schorr, vice president of public and government affairs for Cox Communications, both spoke in appreciation of educators at the event.
At the end of the day, the annual event is always a nice break, educators said.
"It's always nice to get out and be treated like a professional," Simone said.
Frances Vanderploeg can be reached at 990-2660 or [email protected].
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