a Big Thank you to Our Local Educators
What a fitting month to be thankful for our local teachers! Each month, we recognize a local outstanding elementary, middle, and high school staff member who has exhibited superior dedication and unique determination in fulfilling their job responsibilities. This month we would like to recognize 3 extraordinary staff members from Augusta County Public Schools.
These awards serve to highlight teachers and staff members at local schools that are nominated by their peers for going above and beyond in their service to their students and colleagues. The A+ Educators Awards are our way of saying thank you to the teachers and staff making a difference. Each of the current winners will receive a gift certificate to The Depot Grille in Downtown Staunton to celebrate their greatly valued success!
Winner: Amaia Belgrave
Position: Preschool Teacher
School: Cassell Elementary School
Ms. Belgrave is in her first year of teaching as one of the inclusive preschool teachers at Cassell Elementary. Ms. Belgrave’s students are active participants and are meaningfully engaged in highly supportive and fun instruction that is aligned with our preschool program’s curriculum and assessments. Her students are encouraged to explain their thinking while high expectations are upheld. Ms. Belgrave is not only intentional with her planning to provide high quality learning opportunities and experiences in her classroom, but she is also intentional about building positive, trusting, and supportive relationships with her students and families.
Winner: Amanda Haynes
Position: 7th Grade Math Teacher
School: Beverly Manor Elementary School
Amanda Haynes may be a new teacher in Augusta County Public Schools, but she is experienced in innovation and engagement. She has started the school year in a positive direction by being a leader in changing the way students perceive math. Amanda is exploring new teaching methods at BMMS by enabling students to take control of their own learning, creating a math-thinking classroom, and implementing math tasks that require students to justify their reasoning and participate in discussions. She uses reasoning routines such as stations, grouping, and math tasks within her classroom, and she is excited to incorporate coding robots in her math instruction.
Winner: Shirley Kauffman
Position: Agriscience Teacher/FFA Advisor
School: Buffalo Gap High School
Shirley Kaufman is a leader among Agriculture teachers for her content knowledge, experience and history of mentoring students through high school and into their careers. She excels in community relations and through her connections, Buffalo Gap has a production agriculture program complete with a barn and pasture areas, primarily funded and supported by community donations. Shirley has also worked to grow her program at Buffalo Gap, such that there is now an additional Agriculture teacher at the school. She is a respected FFA advisor and mentors other Agriculture teachers across the county, strengthening the FFA program not only at Buffalo Gap High School, but at all the county schools.
Thank you again to these amazing teachers who make such a difference to their students and community!
If you have questions about your MGW services, we'd love to talk with you. You can reach us at (540) 712-0200 or email us at getservice@mgwnetworks.com. And make sure to check out our NEW MGW Fiber Expansion areas.
