Staff Report

Ronald Daughtrey, an agriculture education teacher at Lakeland High School, has been named the 2005 citywide Teacher of the Year for Suffolk Public Schools.

A 25-year teaching veteran, Daughtrey is a graduate of Forest Glen High School in Suffolk and Virginia Tech.

Daughtrey has been applauded as a &uot;team player, an excellent academic leader, outstanding role model, and a true professional,&uot; according to a statement released by the school division.

Suffolk Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Milton R. Liverman surprised Daughtrey Wednesday with the announcement. Winners on the elementary, middle and high school levels were also recognized by Liverman.

Daughtrey serves on the Virginia Agricultural Education Advisory Council, Virginia Future Farmers of America (FFA) Board of Directors, and Virginia FFA/FCCLA Board of Directors.

The FFA chapter at Lakeland High School has earned state and national student awards consistently under his leadership.

Daughtrey wrote in his application for the award that he measures his success through the success of his former students.

&uot;I am especially proud of those

former students who have pursued a career in agriculture.

I know of former students who are professional foresters, wildlife biologists, farmers, farm supply store operators, agricultural research technicians, landscapers, farm managers, farm equipment mechanics, and the list goes on.

&uot;Having taught for 25 years, I have received one of my greatest compliments when I have children of former students appear in my door, ready to make a name for themselves in Lakeland’s agriculture program.

It is gratifying to have a former student tell me that they continually use the information and skills that they learned in class and want to be sure that their child has the same opportunity.&uot;

The runner-up for Teacher of the Year is Patrice Weaver, who was named Middle School Teacher of the Year.

A 23-year teaching veteran, she is a 7th-grade english and social studies teacher at John F. Kennedy Middle School.

Her approach to teaching and living is captured in the very first solo she sang in the church choir, &uot;If I Can Help Somebody.&uot;

Her colleagues speak of her positive rapport with students and parents, her dynamic instructional skills and her outstanding classroom management abilities.

Weaver earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Old Dominion University.

Mary Beth Haneman was named Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

An eight-year teaching veteran, she is a 4th grade teacher at Northern Shores Elementary School.

Principal Terry Napier

wrote that &uot;her commitment, her innovativeness, and her sincere desire for student success is exemplary.

Her flexibility in collaborating with students, teachers, administrators, and parents has earned her the much deserved reputation of a caring professional who represents the best that education has to offer.&uot;

Haneman earned her associate’s degree from Peace College, and a bachelor’s degree from Meredith College. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in administration at Old Dominion University.

Jonita Shabazz, a 3rd-grade teacher at Driver Elementary School, has been named

the 2005 Rookie Teacher of the Year for Suffolk Public Schools.

Shabazz is a graduate of Nansemond River High School. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Old Dominion University.

In her application, she wrote,

&uot;I always have thought that teaching will be the most fulfilling job that I could ever hope for.

Throughout my entire childhood, I have always admired my teachers, which inspired me to become a teacher.

I had been awaiting the day when I could fulfill this dream and become a professional educator.

&uot;I have always said that when I began to teach I would do it to give children a light that will brighten their path to success, as my teachers did for me.

I looked forward to seeing their eyes glisten when they achieve. I promised myself that I would provide my students with the best possible education, through hard work and dedication to the profession.&uot;

According to her principal Nancy Harrell, Shabazz has achieved these goals.

&uot;Students love being in her class.

Students seem to radiate as she approaches them with her warm and friendly smile.

&uot;She has a talent for making the curriculum come to life and be meaningful, encouraging her students to use high order thinking skills and technology.

She teaches students to believe in themselves.

&uot;I wish I had more teachers like Jonita Shabazz.&uot;