Teacher of the Year

 Each year as a faculty and staff, we nominate individuals for our Core Awards who uphold the core values of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.  We vote on finalists and announce the winner during the annual Sing-a-long Event, held the last day of school for winter break.

We a pleased to announce that this year's Teacher of the Year is ESL Teacher, Mrs. Abadesa Ochoa.

Check out Mrs. Ochoa's STATS:

Background:

-born in Miami, FL

 Education:

-attended Florida Atlantic University

-Bachelor of Science in K-6 Elementary Education

 Educational Experience:

-been teaching for 17 years

-began teaching in Florida

-has worked at DLES for 9 years

 Awards & Recognitions:

-2017 Teacher of the Year

-2017 PLAY (Piedmont Learning Academic for the Youth) Music Volunteer of the Year

-2023 Teacher of the Year

 Leadership & School Involvement:

-PAWS/PBIS Committee

-Clean & Green

-Safety Patrol

-Hispanic Heritage

-Multicultural Committee

-Cinco De Mayo Celebration

-Mentor, Lead Mentor 2022-2023

 Community Involvement:

-PLAY Music (Piedmont Learning Academic for the Youth) Volunteer

Hobbies:

-exercising

-playing sports

 Family:

-parents born in Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico

-oldest of 3 children, has 1 brother and 1 sister

-husband is an aviation technician

-three sons

 Colleagues say this about Mrs. Ochoa:

-She is an ESL teacher but a champion of all students.

-She is active in school events, an asset to the school, as she cares about students and colleagues.

CONGRATULATIONS Mrs. Ochoa!

Classified Employee of the Year

Each year as a faculty and staff, we nominate individuals for our Core Awards who uphold the core values of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.  We vote on finalists and announce the winner during the annual Sing-a-long Event, held the last day of school for winter break.

We a pleased to announce that this year's Classified Employee of the Year is our 5th Grade Reach Associate, Ms. Tiffani Cash.

 

Check out Ms. Cash's STATS:

Background:

-from Baltimore, Maryland

-relocated to Durham, NC and then Winston-Salem, NC at age 5

-attended Latham Elementary in 1^st grade and then Cash Elementary and Kernersville Middle School

-graduated from East Forsyth High School (3 years on Homecoming Court, FBLA, Senior Girls Club)

 Education:

-currently a senior of Winston-Salem State University (Dean’s List, 3.93 GPA, aspires to graduate Summa Cum Laude December 2023 with a BA in Elementary Education with a focus in K-6 Teacher Licensure)

-2017 Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Stanly Community College

 Educational Experience:

-worked in education for 6 years

-2017: began working for WSFCS

-Kindergarten Teacher Assistant at Ibraham Elementary School

-Long-term Kindergarten and First Grade Sub

-2019-2020: administrative assistant to the superintendent in SC School District 7

-2020-2021: 4^th grade Long Term Sub at DLES

-2021-2022: 2^nd grade Summer School Teacher

-currently a Reach Associate in 5^th grade

 Awards & Recognitions:

-2018-2019 Classified Employee of the Year

-2019-2020 Employee of the Year

-2021-2022 United Way Chair/Top 3 School Highest Funds Raised

-2022-2023 WSSU Dean’s List with 3.93 GPA

-2022-2023 Classified Employee of the Year

 Community Involvement:

-small business owner: TAAC Delicacies www.taacenterpsise4.com catering business

-member of St. Peter’s World Outreach Center

 Hobbies:

-studying the Bible and praying

-spending time with children and fiancé

 Special Skills:

-bilingual

 Family:

-fiance: Alphona Cremedy

-children: Ariyah and Aiden, students of DLES and known as the “Cremedy Twins”

 Colleagues say this about Ms. Cash:

-Ms. Cash is the direct reflection of WSFCS Core Values and a true team player.

-Ms. Cash does the absolute most with so much enthusiasm.

CONGRATULATIONS MS. Cash!

Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year

 Each year as a faculty and staff, we nominate individuals for our Core Awards who uphold the core values of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.  We vote on finalists and announce the winner during the annual Sing-a-long Event, held the last day of school for winter break.

We a pleased to announce that this year's Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year is our Magnet Coordinator, Mrs. Amanda Gordon.

 

Check out Mrs. Gordon's STATS:

Background: 

-born in Winston-Salem and grew up in Westfield, NC

-attended Nancy Reynolds Elementary and North Stokes Jr & Sr High Schools

-2000 High School Valedictorian, Homecoming Court, BETA Club, Chief Junior Marshall

 

Education/Degrees:   

-Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art Education with K-12 Teaching Licensure from UNCG

-K-12 AIG Certification UNC Charlotte

-National Board Certified Teacher in Early Elementary Art Education

 

Educational Experiences:  

-19 years in education

-2004-2022 18 years teaching art

-2018-2023 Magnet Coordinator

-2013-2014 Differentiation Specialist

-2007-2010 AIG Teacher & Coordinator

-2006-2008 Technology Facilitator

 

Awards or Recognitions:

-2011 Teacher of the Year

-2013 Kennedy Center Arts Education Excellence Team Award

-2014 Student Honorable Mention Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts

-2016 NC A+ Schools Educator of the Year

-2016 WSFCS Arts Council Teacher of the Year

-2017 WSFCS District Magnet Teacher of the Year

-2017-2022 WSFCS Teacher Academy Teacher Leader

-2021 NC Art Ed Association Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Teacher of the Year

-2021 NCCAT Honored Educator

-2023 Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year

 

Community & Extra Curricular Involvement: 

-Fall Festival, Multicultural, Black History, Hispanic Heritage, Yearbook Committees

-Member of Sovereign Grace Chapel (webmaster/social media, sound tech, musician, Bible Study)

-Stokes County Arts Council Board Member, Visual Arts Chair

-North Carolina Art Education Association Board Member, Social Media Master

 

Hobbies: 

-photographer at Amanda Gordon Photography and AmazingAAG Photography

-social media master for art, photography, arts council, church

-singing and playing string instruments (mandolin, guitar)

-art: drawing, painting, weaving, mixed media

 

Family: 

-married, husband is in law enforcement

-8 nieces and nephews

-oldest in my family with 3 siblings

-influenced and inspired by grandparents, grew up singing with them in church

-influenced and inspired by godparents who I met in my current church

-known for “adopting” my closest friends into my family and has a large extended family

 

Colleagues describe Mrs. Gordon by saying:

-Mrs. Gordon does an incredible amount of work that most people are not aware of.

CONGRATULATIONS MRS. GORDON!

Science Fair

Special thanks for MCL and 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Nikki Woodard, and her committee for a successful Science Fair.  Thank you to our volunteers who served as judges.  Congratulations to all classes and students who completed a project; it was a very strong Science Fair with a close competition.

Congratulations to the following classes and students who were named winners:

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Holiday Store

The annual Home Moravian Holiday Store returned this year for the first time since the pandemic.  Home Moravian Church is a long-standing supporter and partner of our school, staff, and students.

This holiday store is set up for a couple days and allows students to "shop" for a gift for their parent or guardian.  The store is stocked with gifts that are new or slightly used.  Volunteers help students shop for everything from jewelry to mugs, scarves to purses, wooden pens to decor.  Once the student chooses a gift, another volunteer assists with creating a name label before the student reaches the gift wrapping station.

Students are so excited to find a special gift to take home to a special adult in their lives, and volunteers are excited to help students see the importance of giving.

Center Grove Gifts

We are pleased to continue our partnership with local community partner, Center Grove Church.  Over the last few years, Center Grove has supported the faculty and staff, provided picnic tables for our outside garden, and more.  One special project happens every December when Center Grove restocks our clothing closet with socks, hats, gloves, and more as well as purchases a small gift for every single student.  Other parent and community volunteers join us for a few days the week before break to wrap the gifts.  Then, the administration team delivers gifts to classrooms, and teachers distribute during their Holiday Celebrations before students leave for winter break.  This is such an exciting time for students.  Thank you, Center Grove, for your continued support and generosity.  Thank you community and parent volunteers for your hard work in wrapping gifts.

Service Project

 As part of their Holiday Activities and Social and Emotional Learning, Mrs. Sarraga's 4th grade class completed a service project.

Students collected socks and gloves to be donated to a local homeless shelter.  Once the collection was complete, Mrs. Sarraga organized the donations into a gift-wrapped box and delivered them to the local Bethesda Center.

During this project, students worked on kindness and generosity.  They became aware of those less fortunate, particularly those in our city struggling with homelessness.

 

Holiday of Music

For our annual, winter musical, the Arts Team worked with First and Second grade students to prepare "A Holiday of Music" to perform for the school as a dress rehearsal and then for parents in the evening.

 

Music and Orchestra Teacher, Mr. David Mullikin, taught students the songs and worked with them on singing techniques.  Dance Teacher, Miss Katie Allison, taught students hand dances and creative movements to accent the songs.  She also worked with her 5th grade TAG students to provide narration in between songs.  Band Teacher, Mr. Rick Sigler, assisted with sound and logistics.  Art Teacher, Mr. Olivia Sledge, decorated the stage with paper poinsettias and wrapped gift boxes to set the stage.  Magnet Coordinator, Mrs. Amanda Gordon, supported the team and photographed the performance. Media Coordinator, Miss Destiny Brooks, videoed the performance.

The performance included the following songs:

"A Holiday of Music"

"Chime In!"

"Do You Hear?"

"Don't Eat a Poinsettia"

"The Rhythm of the Season"

Students sang the audience through a review of holiday, winter themes, including a silly reminder not to eat poinsettias and a more serious note of reflecting on the spirit of the season, particularly illustrated in the ringing of bells.  There was even a surprise performance of hand bells by a couple second graders.

It was truly "A Holiday of Music."

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Grinch Day

During our "12 Days of Christmas" Holiday Spirit Days, "Grinch Day" was very popular.  Faculty, staff, and students were encouraged to wear green in honor of the Grinch and perform random acts of kindness throughout the day as part of our Character Education and Social and Emotional Learning focus.

 

The day was exceptionally exciting when the "Grinch" showed up to school that morning.  "Mr. Grinch" greeted students and parents during morning arrival at car duty, and he waved goodbye while dancing to his popular song at car dismissal.  Throughout the day, Mr. Grinch made some surprise appearances in the hallway and classrooms.  There was a sneaky suspicion that our Magnet Coordinator may be the one behind the mask, but we will neither confirm nor deny.

Mr. Grinch even helped students rehearse for the Holiday Musical.

As our "Grinch Day" wrapped up, we found out that Mr. Grinch is actually in fact NOT "a mean one," as the song describes, especially after he experienced kindness.

Fashion Show

Students in our Pre-Kindergarten classes wrapped up their clothing investigation unit with a Fashion Show for parents and the leadership team.  

The Fashion Show was complete with a red carpet, special lighting, and music.  

Each student chose their outfit for the day and had a "red carpet moment" for describing their outfit's color and design.  Some chose outfits to represent a certain style, and others wore clothing that illustrated a character and career

12 Days of Christmas

During the last 12 Days of School before Winter Break, staff and students celebrated the Holiday Season with 12 spirit days full of activities and celebrations.  

Several of the days offered themes and suggestions for individuals to wear their holiday colors, funny sweaters, Santa hats, antlers and more.

On "Candy Cane Day," staff and students wore red and white as well as stripes when available.  They enjoyed candy cane treats as well.

On "Polar Express Day," we wore pajamas and integrated the book, Polar Express, as well as video excerpts into reading lessons for the day.

The 12 Spirit Days encouraged kindness, integrated activities, and school spirit.