By Evan Brandt, ebrandt@pottsmerc.com
POTTSTOWN — Although only one teacher will represent Pottstown in Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year competition, the district recently celebrated many who share that title over schools and categories.
In addition to nominating one teacher from each school building, the district also nominates a “co-teaching team” from each building. As a result, 24 different teachers can lay some claim to being a “teacher of the year” award recipient.
Lincoln Elementary School intervention specialist Sharon Holloway was selected as the district’s singular teacher of the year and will represent Pottstown in the statewide competition.
Superintendent Reed Lindley said reading test scores “at Lincoln have risen over the past three years as a result of the efforts provided by Mrs. Holloway and her colleagues, with roughly one-third of Lincoln students requiring instruction beyond the core reading program.”
“Sharon is considered an unofficial leader among the ranks here at Lincoln,” Principal Loretta Hoch wrote in her nomination letter.
“She is one that teachers turn to for advice about students, knowing that they will get straight, honest answers and sensible solutions,” wrote Hoch. “Sharon understands the pressures of being a classroom teacher and never asks teachers to do more for their students than she is willing to do for them herself.”
Sandra Zuchero, a special education specialist, and Angela Wagner, a reading specialist, both at Pottstown Middle School, were named the co-teaching team of the year.
“The two of these teachers have externally positive attitudes that inspire their peers daily,” wrote Pottstown Middle School Principal Gail Cooper and Rita Cohen, the supervisor of special education for the secondary level. “The learning support students have made noticeable gains this year, and if these two professionals are able to continue their work together, we expect to see further achievement gains as they refine their strategies and techniques.”
The criteria for being named a co-teaching team include substantiated positive outcomes, demonstrating ownership for instruction of all students in the class, and using collaboration and problem-solving to make the best use of resources, according to information provided by the district.
The other co-teaching teams of the year are as follows:
• Barth — Jaime Stringer and Kimberly Valentine;
• Edgewood — Marie Anders, Catherine Knapke and JoAnne Howe;
• Franklin — Leon Kanopka and Jen Swenk;
• Rupert — Allen Ferster, Debbie Wilson, Brenda DiDonato and Lisa Meyers;
• Pottstown High School — Janet Roncase and William Bertoti.
The criteria for being named a teacher of the year includes having the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues; playing an active role in the school and community; being innovative in the classroom; and having a positive outlook and attitude.
The other nominees for the teachers of the year in other buildings were:
• Barth — Colleen Blute;
• Edgewood — Marie Anders;
• Franklin — Theresa Spitko;
• Rupert — Sarah Noska;
• Pottstown Middle School — Vanessa Barnaik;
• Pottstown High School — Eva Yashinski.
