Brandon Twp.-Two Brandon School District teachers were recently selected to participate in the 17th annual Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year Awards program.
This year 25 Oakland County School Districts participated, nominating 64 teachers from elementary, middle and high schools district wide. One from each of the three categories will be selected by April 9, 2004 for the honor. The winners will receive $2,000 and on May 5 all the nominees will be recognized at Oakland Schools Educational Services and Professional building in Waterford.
A selection committee was comprised of ten individuals from a variety of backgrounds.
The two Brandon School District teachers were recognized at the Brandon School Board meeting on March 8. The pair selected include:
Margaret Hall earned a BA from Central Michigan University in History, with minors in Art and Political Science. She also earned a Masters of Arts degree in Social Studies, with a minor in art plus a 30 hour continuing Certification in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University.
In 1961, Hall began teaching at Cherry Hill High School in Inkster. She then taught in Royal Oak before starting at Brandon Middle School in 1975. She moved to Brandon High School in 1984 where she currently teaches art.
‘It’s with great pleasure that I can nominate Mrs. Margaret Hall for Oakland County’s teacher of the year,? said Dr. Michael Ferguson, Brandon High School principal, in his nominating letter to the Oakland Teacher of the Year Awards Committee.
In addition, Hall has participated in professional learning activities, North Central Accreditation, Blue Ribbon School Accredition, mentoring new teachers, basketball coach, chairperson for National Scholastic Art Awards, BEA Building representative, and teacher liaison with the Brandon Board of Education.
Patricia Ellsworth earned a BA in Elementary Education/ Sociology from Alma College and later a MA in Reading from Eastern Michigan University.
During more than 19 years of service to the Brandon School District, Ellsworth has worked at H.T. Burt Elementary; Developmental Kindergarten at Harvey-Swanson Elementary and Reading Recovery at Belle Ann Elementary since 2003. She also served as Literacy Coach at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate.
‘I know how fortunate the school community of Belle Ann is to have an individual of Mrs. Ellsworth’s dedication to support our students, parents and staff,? stated Mark Rodak, Belle Ann Elementary principal who nominated Ellsworth.
‘I know she is an outstanding teacher and that any district in the county would be proud to have her as their representative in this program.?
‘It does not matter whether it is a student, teacher, parent, administrator, instructional aide or any other individual, she instills a feeling of confidence, collegiality and sincerity that allows that person to learn and grow.?
Ellsworth also served as a member of the districts Early Childhood Curriculum Committee, Language Arts Curriculum Committee, trained Reading Recovery Teacher, and as a Mentor Teacher.