And one Roosevelt Elementary School teacher’s hard work has paid off. Shawn Sergent, Roosevelt Kindergarten teacher, was recently named “Mason County Reading Teacher of the Year.”
According to Sergent, you do not need to be a reading specialist to win the award. In order to be selected, Sergent was required to fill out the “Carol S. Miller Reading Teacher of the Year” application as well as have five letters of recommendation from either a co-worker, principal or parent.
Sergent found out that she was named Reading Teacher of the Year during the county’s annual reading banquet on April 22. She described the achievement as an honor.
“It’s an exciting honor to be with such an elite group of people and to be the one selected from everyone who applies — it’s really exciting,” Sergent said.
She added that she was happy to receive the award because she strives to make reading an integral part of the classroom.
“You have to read to do anything,” she said. “We teach basic reading throughout the day. Everything is involved around reading at Roosevelt.”
Sergent described watching her students learn to read and excel as being particularly rewarding.
“The students are taking books that they can read home now. They are so excited when they can read a book,” she said. “Reading is the key to every child’s future, regardless of what door he or she wishes to open. It is my belief that every child longs to read and has the ability to do so.”
To help her students excel in reading, Sergent said that she uses various scientifically-based researches to help all children become successful readers.
“Finding the strategies for each child is my job as a reading teacher. I am excited to help each of my students find the right key so their dreams become reality,” she said.
Sergent also said that she plans to teach as long as she can. She attributed her love of children as the reason why she pursued a career in education.
“My love of children and to see the progress that they make throughout the year is why I continue to teach,” she said. “Teaching is a passion that I have embraced. I hope to continually inspire my students to reach for the sky.”
Sergent has been a teacher for 23 years and has taught at Roosevelt for 11 years. Prior to working at Roosevelt, Sergent taught at other area schools, including Point Pleasant High School, Leon Elementary School and the former Hartford, Beach Hill and Central Schools. Aside from her teaching degree, Sergent has a Masters Degree plus 45 additional hours.
Post a Comment
