Hodgkiss and Denman Named NLISD Teachers of the Year

An appreciation banquet for North Lamar ISD employees was held Monday night to honor those who make a difference to students and co-workers throughout the year. Superintendent John McCullough and District administrators recognized employees for their years of service to the district, honored those retiring, and presented special awards to those who have gone above and beyond assisting students and colleagues.

With the help of last year’s teachers of the year, Cody Head and Kim Lacey, the 2016 North Lamar recipients were named.  Dennis Hodgkiss, North Lamar High School Pre-AP World History and AP U.S. History teacher, was named Secondary Teacher of the Year while Lisa Denman, Aaron Parker Elementary physical education teacher, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year. Nominees from all six campuses spoke about what teaching has meant to them.  Others representing their campuses and who were interviewed for the district’s high honors were Stephanie Easton at Stone Middle School, Stephen Keenum at Bailey Intermediate, Karon Sparks at Everett Elementary, and Ruth Rainey at Higgins Elementary.

Recipients of the district’s special awards were: Gay Powell at Bailey for Auxiliary of the Year; Kristin Hughes at Parker for Support Staff of the Year; Jana Bolton at Everett for Paraprofessional of the Year; and Christi Coe at Bailey for Special Educator of the Year.

Retiring with an accumulative of 365 years are Beth Edwards (28 years), Mary Ann Franklin (29 years), Patti Haley (17 years), Beckie Huggins (44 years), Janie Logee (23 years), Valerie McClain (40 years), Della O’Neal (26 years), Carolyn Patterson (24 years), Karon Sparks (16 years), Peggy Stephens (25 years), Kathy Stewart (29 years),Barbara Towers (32 years), Ted Weiberg (7 years) and Debbie Wood (25 years).

Honored and receiving pins for their years of service were: 40 years – Valerie McClain; 30 years – Brenda Anthony, Leddy Carder, Randy Jones, Tom Pursifull, Diedra Rast, Leanne Stone and Randy Woodard; 25 years –Jennifer Bryant, Duanna Ewell, Jerry Jarrell, Tami Miles, Peggy Stephens, Lisa Thompson and Debbie Wood; 20 years – Bettie Allen, Marcia Ball, Shonda Carr, JoNel Eads, Carol Farmer, Tracie Harris, Becky McCleskey, Joyce Middleton, Yvonne Parson and Julie Stephens..

Fifteen year pins were given to Gina Ervin, Cheryl Garrison, Jennifer Haynie, Tonya Igleheart, Jennifer McEwin, Janna Moody, Janet Partridge, David Preas and Ron Whitson. Receiving 10 year pins were Michelle Anderson, Shannon Ausmus, JoAnna Bankston, Kevan Bennett, Holly Blackmon, Lindsey Blackshear, Betsy Bolton, Dandria Clayton, Kaye Cooper, Tiffani Crawford, Valerie Edmonson, Eddie Farris, Tommy Funderburg, Robert George, Debra Gifford, Jennifer Grissom, Alison Hayter, John Herre, Jackie Sue High, Rebecca Hildreth, Don Hillyard, Kristin Hughes, Scott Igleheart, Jake Merritt, Jennifer Patterson, Belinda Peeples, Toni Preston, Christi Rhea, Cheryl Stephens, Taylor Stone, Alexandria Walters and Teresa Williams.

Others receiving their 5 year pins were Shanna Black, Jessica Hodges, Kim Lacey, Laura McKinney, April Reams, Stephanie Russell and Donna Smith.