Putnam Schools Selects Outstanding Personnel for the Year
Putnam County Schools has chosen three outstanding personnel for its yearly awards, naming Judy Berry as Putnam County Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009, Lexie Damous as Administrator of the Year and Debra Moore as Service Employee of the Year for 2008-2009.
Judy Berry
Nominated by her peers at George Washington Elementary School where she teaches first grade, Berry was first named Elementary School Teacher of the Year before attaining county Teacher of the Year status.
Berry knew she wanted to be a teacher from the time she was in junior high school, when she was recruited by a teacher to work in a summer program with struggling elementary students.
Working one-on-one with young children, she felt the rewards of opening a world to young learners.
From that time, according to Berry, she was hooked – “born to teach, and loving it!”
Berry, who strives to instill that same love of learning in her students, has followed her own love of learning to Glenville State University, where she obtained a degree in early childhood education with a specialization in social studies, and to Marshall University Graduate College, where she has obtained reading certification and will complete a master’s degree in reading education in August.
She has also completed additional post-graduate work at the University of Virginia, James Madison University, Virginia Western Community College and the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies.
Berry began her teaching career in Fayette County Schools in 1974.
She has since taught in Kanawha County Schools and Roanoke City Public Schools in Roanoke, Va., before coming to Putnam County.
She has taught every grade at the elementary level.
Besides her classroom activities, Berry is active in many other aspects of her profession.
She is chair of the George Washington Elementary Curriculum Team and a member of the School Strategic Planning Team and the Technology Team.
She has also served on the county’s Writing Curriculum Committee and Math Leadership Team.
She is currently a WVDE Teacher Leadership Institute participant who presents professional development for her school and serves as a mentor to pre-service teachers.
Nearly 10 years ago, Berry attained teaching’s highest certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.
Today, she mentors teachers who are seeking National Board Certification for Putnam County Schools and the WVDE, and she has served as an evaluator and presenter for the National Board.
Berry holds membership in several organizations, including the International Reading Association, West Virginia Reading Association and George Washington Parent-Teacher Organization.
She has also held memberships in the Putnam County Reading Council, Putnam County Education Association, West Virginia Education Association, National Education Association, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Science Teachers’ Association and Delta Kappa Gamma.
Berry “wears many hats” in her role as teacher.
One such is that of encourager.
“I feel it is my responsibility to set the bar high for all students,” she states.
“I believe the higher my expectations, the harder my students will strive to achieve.”
She also wears the hat of “listener,” especially in working with parents.
“Educating a child takes a team – the parent, the teacher, and the child, working together toward a common goal,” she says.
“Parents are usually well aware of their child’s strengths and weaknesses, and they need a good listening ear to air their concerns about many things, including the community, the school and family matters.”
According to Berry, one of her greatest rewards is seeing the difference she has made in the lives of students.
When she meets a former student who remembers activities they did in her classroom, it reminds her that “everything, even the most insignificant to me, can have a lasting impact on a life.”
Even after 34 years in the classroom, Berry remains enthusiastic about her role in the life of children.
“I have learned that I can make such a difference in a child’s life, which is very empowering, but also very intimidating, and definitely challenging every day,” she says.
Lexie Damous
After spending 25 years in middle school teaching and administration, Principal Damous was a little apprehensive to move to elementary education.
She need not have worried.
This year, Damous was named Putnam County Schools’ Administrator of the Year for her work as principal of Poca Elementary School.
Damous, who began her career in 1978 at George Washington Middle School as a music teacher, has also served as an assistant principal at George Washington Middle, Poca Middle and Hurricane Middle schools.
A graduate of West Virginia State College and the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, Damous holds or has held memberships in the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the West Virginia Reading Association, the Juvenile Justice Diversion Program and the Putnam County Principals’ Association.
A proponent of professional development, Damous constantly seeks to update her own expertise by attending numerous professional development sessions and facilitating others.
Besides training in the latest instructional methods and technology, she has completed the West Virginia Institute for 21st Century Leadership and the WVDE Center for Professional Development Reading Academy.
At Poca Elementary, she has created a true learning community among her staff, as they have focused extensively on improving teaching and learning.
They have expanded such programs to the community, as they also provide educational programs for parents.
Damous’ reflective attitude toward leadership has contributed to her own success and the success of her school.
Basing her leadership philosophy on “doing what is best for students,” she has worked to “listen to and empower the entire school community, [while] affirming their successes.”
Listening and responding to students, parents, and community members formed her first year at Poca Elementary.
During that year, the school made dramatic improvements that began their ascent to continued Adequate Yearly Progress and WVDE designation as “Best Among Peers,”"Best in Closing the Sub Group Achievement Gap in Reading and Math” and “Exemplary Status.” State WESTEST scores have risen each year that Damous has led the school.
In addition, in 2007, they were named a West Virginia School of Excellence by the West Virginia Department of Education.
Damous attributes part of the school’s success to teamwork and finding people’s strengths, “…when strengths can be identified and the members of a staff can be placed in roles where they are likely to succeed, many opportunities for improvement can be found,” she states.
As she strives to help teachers build on their strengths and celebrate their successes, Damous is also proactive in preventing problems while treating everyone with respect.
Damous is quick to attribute her own success to her staff and students, but she
holds herself to the same high expectations that she has for them.
She makes accessibility and visibility a priority and strives to demonstrate patience and professionalism in all situations.
“I know others watch me as an example,” she states, so she makes a conscious effort to be a good example at all times.
Damous views each day as an opportunity to improve her schools so that “good things will happen in order to give each student a brighter future.”
None of this comes easily.
“It takes a lot of time and effort to manage an effective 21st Century learning environment,” she states.
“If we provide a curriculum that is rigorous, relevant, and helps students value relationships, students will be prepared for the world in which they will live and work – and it will all be worth it,” she says.
Debra Moore
Moore, who divides her time as school secretary between Scott Teays Elementary and George Washington Middle School, has earned recognition for her outstanding service as the Putnam County Schools 2008-2009 Service Employee of the Year.
She was chosen from among all service employees who were selected by their schools as outstanding employees.
Moore has served at Scott Teays and George Washington Middle for 14 of her 32 years in Putnam County Schools.
Before that, she was a counselor’s secretary at Poca Middle, Poca High, George Washington Middle, Buffalo High and Putnam Career & Technical School.
She worked for three years as a kindergarten aide at George Washington Elementary.
Always eager to update her skills, Moore attends numerous trainings and workshops to keep herself current in the requirements of the position.
Having responsibility for maintaining enrollment, grades, attendance and other WVDE reports, she frequently attends trainings on the West Virginia Education Information System, or WVEIS, in the county and at RESA III.
As the GW Hot Lunch Secretary who maintains all records for the school’s meal program, she frequently completes trainings on this, as well.
“I love my job and working with WVEIS, so I feel I can generate or input anything asked of me,” she says.
“If I don’t know, I find out how and get the job done,” she adds.
Moore was chosen for more than her expertise in the office, however.
Her recognition also comes for the effort and love she puts into her work for the students.
“I do truly care about our students and have always done my best to treat each and every one as I would want my own to be treated,” she states.
Moore sums up her feelings about her 32 years in Putnam County Schools by saying, “It just takes dedication and practice, but when you love your job and respect and feel appreciated, the job is so much easier.”
But once again, Moore cites her love of the students and pride in the system as key to her success.
“It’s all about the students, and I believe Putnam County has the best, and I’m proud to be part of that,” she says.
“If I can make a difference with a smile or anything, I will.”
Making a difference for her students, staff and school community have earned well-deserved respect and appreciation for Moore, Putnam County Schools 2008-2009 Service Employee of the Year.
(c) 2008 Charleston Gazette, The. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.