|
Schenectady teacher is named
New York State Teacher of the Year
|
..................................
Above:
Katie Ferguson in May 2010 when she was named SCSD
Teacher of the Year. |
The New York State
Board of Regents presented Kathleen Ferguson, a second grade
teacher at Zoller Elementary School, with the New York State
Teacher of the Year Award today. She
was
presented with a certificate by Regents Chancellor Merryl H.
Tisch and Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. She was
also presented with the Thomas Sobol Award and the David Johnson
Award, both gifts for recipients of the Teacher of the Year
Award.
Ferguson, who was
named the 2010 Schenectady City School District Teacher of the
Year, has been teaching in the district since 1998. She taught
first grade at Martin Luther King Magnet School from 1998-2007
and has been teacher second grade at Zoller ever since.
Commissioner King said, "Last week, I met with all of
Schenectady's teachers. I was struck by the dedication, passion
and enthusiasm for teaching from everyone in the room. Kathleen
Ferguson embodies all those qualities as the New York State
Teacher of the Year. Kathleen believes in what she does and she
embraces the vital role teachers have in preparing students to
be successful in an ever changing world."
"In a state
where teaching excellence is commonplace, Kathleen Ferguson
stands out," said New York State United Teachers President
Richard C. Iannuzzi. "Her caring and dedication; commitment to
improving literacy among her students; and the enthusiasm with
which she mentors student-teachers and beginning teachers make
her a very worthy recipient to represent all teachers as the
next New York State Teacher of the Year. Her union stands
proudly with her, and congratulates her."
“I am deeply
touched to have been selected to fill this role as ambassador
for teachers of the great state of New York,” said Ferguson.
“This is wonderful
news for Katie, her students, Zoller Elementary School and our
entire district,” said John Yagielski, superintendent of
Schenectady Schools. “Katie is a wonderful teacher and
well-deserving of this distinguished honor. We are lucky to
have her as a teacher and a mentor.”
"Over the past decade I have had the privilege to work with
dedicated and skillful teachers who every year greet a sea of
faces with warmth and enthusiasm for the task of educating
them," said Pat Doyle, principal of Zoller Elementary School.
"Kathleen Ferguson stands out as an exemplary model within this
group. She is a lighthouse beacon in that sea of faces,
patiently and lovingly guiding each child’s destiny."
Doyle said she teaches with passion and believes deeply in every
child’s right and ability to achieve to his/her highest
potential! "We are all so proud of her," she added.
Individualizing
instruction is a major component of Ferguson’s day to day
lessons. She said she finds ways to present her information in
a variety of ways and a number of times in order to give
students the opportunity to hear, see and experience topics in a
way that is understandable to them.
“One of my best
qualities as a teacher is my ability to reach every student,”
said Ferguson. “Everybody learns.”
Behavior and
academic accountability are both priorities in Ferguson’s
classroom. “Children are expected to achieve their fullest
potential,” said Ferguson. “When my expectations are high,
theirs will be too.” She said she believes that every child can
learn and they deserve to know it.
For the past four
years, Ferguson has worked in an inclusive second grade
classroom in which she has co-taught with special education
teachers every day. She also collaborates with a speech
therapist, occupational therapist and physical therapist.
Ferguson provides
ongoing leadership and support for new teachers. She co-led a
workshop given by the Charitable Leadership Foundation for which
she authored a 31-page booklet describing her classroom literacy
centers. She has worked with new teachers and teachers in
training, facilitated the placement of two student teachers and
mentors new teachers in the Schenectady City School District.
“It was my pleasure to help new professionals begin their
teaching careers,” she said.
Among her many
professional achievements, Ferguson has co-led half day training
sessions and was featured in a teacher case study on The
Virtual Education Web Project. She was featured in an
instructor magazine article, “How I did It: 8 Teachers Share
Their Top Tech Solutions,” and in the Daily Gazette article,
“Schools Learning Video Lessons.” Ferguson was awarded The Red
Apple Quality of Life Award in June 1998 an April 1999. She was
awarded a resolution earlier this year by the Schenectady City
Council recognizing and honoring her accomplishments as 2010
Teacher of the Year. She was awarded the Crystal Apple Award
for Excellence by the Schenectady City School District Education
Foundation in January 2011.
Ferguson said she has benefited from having great teachers in
her life as well as working with exceptional teachers. “It is
my hope that I can continue to represent what I see all around
me every day….hard working, knowledgeable, generous,
professional educators dedicated to their students,” she said.
Throughout her
career, Ferguson has served on an array of committees and
participated in a long list of professional development programs
and workshops. She has organized and participated in school
community events and has been a member of the Parent Partnership
Team since 2007.
“Teaching is much
more than a profession to me,” said Ferguson on her philosophy
of teaching. “It is my calling.” She said as part of that
calling, she holds the hopes and dreams of her students in her
hands. “I accept the responsibility that everything I say and
do as a teacher will impact the lives of my students.”
Ferguson’s advice
to other teachers is to believe. “Believe that your most
disadvantaged child can surpass those disadvantages and achieve
great things. Believe that your brightest child can reach even
higher. Believe for them even if they do not believe in
themselves, since from your belief, theirs will blossom.” She
also urges all educators to believe in themselves. “You do make
a difference every day,” she said.
Ferguson said
teachers work very hard, oftentimes without recognition.
“Recognition is not what we are working for,” she added. “We
are dedicated to molding the minds of our future.”
The State Teacher
of the Year Program is sponsored by the New York State United
Teachers (NYSUT); the United Federation of Teachers (UFT); the
New York State Parents and Teachers Association (NYSPTA); the
New York State Association for School Curriculum Development (NYSASCD);
the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA); the
School Administrators Association of NYS (SAANYS); the New York
State Association of Teacher Educators (NYSATE); the New York
Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NYACATE); ING
Financial Services, Inc.; International Business Machines (IBM);
the Smarter Kids Foundation; SMART Technologies; and the Council
of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The program is run in
conjunction with the National Teacher of the Year Program,
sponsored by CCSSO.
.........................................
Daily
Gazette
September 14, 2011
Schenectady educator
named state’s 'Teacher of the Year’
Story Here
Back
|
