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Parkway’s Patterson Wins 2008-09 Watauga County Schools Teacher of the Year

Story by Sam Calhoun

Akin to the Publisher’s Clearing House Prize Patrol, dozens of well-wishers, including colleagues, media representatives, Watauga County Schools Board of Education members and family burst into Erin Patterson’s third grade class at Parkway School in Boone last Friday to surprise her with the 2008-09 Watauga County Schools Teacher of the Year award.

“I’m speechless. I’m just so overwhelmed,” said Patterson, as she wiped tears from her eyes. “It’s such an honor to work in Watauga County where students get everything they need for an education.”

Patterson was selected for the award from nine teachers recognized for their outstanding dedication to Watauga County students. Earlier in the year, Watauga County teachers nominated peers for the annual Teacher of the Year contest. The nine nominees—one from each of Watauga County’s schools—were honored last Thursday night with a banquet, where each nominee received a cash award of $500 from Boone Regional Ear, Nose and Throat Associates and $350 from the Watauga County Board of Education.

A six-person selection committee made up of Watauga County Board of Education members chose the winner, keeping the results secret until 8:30 a.m. Friday.

As the winner of the award, Patterson received an additional $500 from Boone Regional Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, an additional $350 from the Watauga County Board of Education, the use of a new car from Toyota of Boone for the summer and entrance into the regional Teacher of the Year contest. If Patterson wins the regional contest, she moves on to the state competition.

The other eight Teachers of the Year are Louise Cooper of Green Valley, Kris Hagaman of Valle Crucis, Christy Laws of Cove Creek, Sarah Miller of Watauga High School, Michele Nichols of Mabel, Linda Queen of Hardin Park, Jessica Smith of Bethel and Lara Whiteside of Blowing Rock.

Patterson’s expertise is in math and science and she has been a teacher at Parkway School for five years. She worked at Bethel School for two years before coming to Parkway. Patterson is a graduate of ASU, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Patterson is also National Board Certified, the highest professional credential available to teachers.

“I believe that you have to continue learning and change with how your students change,” said Patterson. “This is such an honor for me.”

“You deserve it,” said Watauga County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bobbi Short, who complemented the way Patterson runs her class and treats her students. “We’re all so proud of you.”

Parkway Principal Doug Faulkner praised Patterson’s exemplary work.
“When you see her in the classroom, you know she answered the call and is in her element as a teacher,” he said. “She is endlessly creative in finding ways to reach every student.”

Patterson comes from a family of teachers. Her mother taught at Valle Crucis Elementary for 25 years and now holds a job at Parkway School as the K-5 curriculum specialist. Patterson’s father was a teacher at Watauga High School before starting his own company and both of Patterson’s aunts are teachers.

Patterson will now compete for regional Teacher of the Year for the Northwest region of the state. The North Carolina Teacher of the Year will then be selected from among the six regional winners. The North Carolina Teacher of the Year program is entering its 38th year and is currently sponsored at the state level by AT&T.

Boone Regional Ear, Nose and Throat Associates has been the major sponsor of the Teacher of the Year program in the Watauga County Schools for eight years, contributing a total of $40,000 for teacher awards during that time. Boone Regional Ear, Nose and Throat has been recognized with an Education Partnership Award by the Board of Education for their generous long-term support of the Teacher of the Year program.