Horizon Dec 2023 - Flipbook - Page 26
STAFF STUFF
Shelton’s 2022-2023 SPARK Winners
Eight Shelton teachers and staff members were the
recipients of the 2022-2023 Shelton Parents’ Association
Recognition Kudos (SPARK) Award on May 25 at the
End-of-the-Year Staff Appreciation Luncheon. This is the
eighth year for the award to be presented by SPA. Awards
were based on comments received in the spring parent
survey. Each awardee received a crystal SPARK statue and
a check for $500. Thanks to parent Emily Touchstone for
coordinating these awards and to parents for taking the
time to send comments about our staff. Congratulations to
those who were honored!
Lower School: Charlotte Fisher
Peers described Early
Elementary fourth-grade
STEM teacher Charlotte Fisher
as “creative,” “organized,”
“dedicated,” “brilliant” and
“helpful.” Students said,
“She is fun,” “We learn about
teamwork,” “She helps with
Charlotte Fisher (left) and
our mistakes.” Charlotte is a
Christine Davis
Shelton parent of two boys,
a Montessori-trained teacher, an Academic Language
Practitioner and an engineer.
Upper Elementary: Cheryl Prince
Upper Elementary’s Cheryl Prince
has generously given her gift to
Shelton students for 35 years. One
parent said, “Mrs. Prince is able
to read my child, knows when
she is anxious and instinctively
knows exactly how to help.” Others
commented, “She is a true advocate
and looks at all aspects of the child”
Cheryl Prince
and “Mrs. Prince brings out the best
in our child. She got him to not only
want to read, but to love to read.”
Middle School: Georgana Jinks
Middle School teacher Georgana Jinks is an avid reader
who shares that passion with students. Parents described
her as patient, kind and a good listener, and they appreciate
the individual attention and support she gives to students.
Georgana has touched
many lives not only
through her reading
and English classes,
but also through
Middle School Drama,
Upper School Theatre
and the Chargerettes.
Upper School: Kim Self
Upper School teacher Kim Self is
described by her peers as “creative,
enthusiastic, patient, kind and one
of our favorite coworkers.” Students
and parents said, “Her expertise,
knowledge, care, concern and overall
instruction are unmatched.” Parents
also said, “She is a master teacher who
holds students to a high standard.”
Kim Self (left) and Jenny
Kim started working in the Shelton
Cheatham
Upper School 20 years ago and has
taught Biology and now Reading. She is a Certified Academic
Language Therapist and has tutored countless students over the
years. Her daughter, Kennedi, graduated from Shelton in 2022.
All Around: Librarians Kelli Yonker, Mary Drexler,
Deanna Wallace and Melissa Montgomery
Shelton’s four librarians embrace connecting with students and
encouraging a belief of self. Even though some Shelton students
are challenged with the written word, our librarians have created
a culture in which students flock to the area of the school
where they are surrounded by written materials. The four have
cultivated a culture
of joy within our
libraries, allowing
students to be
transported by and
immersed in books.
The libraries are
the heart of each
division.
From left: Kelli Yonker, Mary Drexler, Deanna Wallace and
Melissa Montgomery
Build-Your-Own Professional Development
Four Shelton staff members were selected for the Build-YourOwn-Development program. They received $3,000 to pursue their
development and share their experiences with their students.
• Mary Bashara, Upper School World History and Sociology
teacher, traveled to Israel, including trips to Caesarea, Tel Aviv,
Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, the West Bank, Jordan, Bethlehem,
Jerusalem and more.
• Gwen Ziegler, Lower School third- and fourth-grade teacher,
traveled to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Freedom Mine
and Scandinavian Village in North Dakota.
• Anna Smith and Amy Delaney visited key science sites in
Southern California for eighth-grade science and STEM,
including Griffith Observatory, California Science Center,
La Brea Tar Pits, Orange Coast Planetarium and the Natural
History Museum in Los Angeles.
Georgana Jinks (left) and Patricia Gallaher
24
DECEMBER 2023
THE HORIZON
SHELTON SCHOOL
Mary Bashara
Gwen Ziegler
Anna Smith
Amy Delaney