Wakulla School Board Gives Recognition 

CRAWFORDVILLE, FL – Stephanie Hatch selected as December Teacher of the Month, Joyce Pigott selected as Employee of the Month and Pam Posey selected as Wakulla County Outstanding School Volunteer

Art is the medium that Stephanie Hatch, The Wakulla County School District December Teacher of the Month, uses to engage her students.  Originally from Texas, Mrs. Hatch was hired in 2003 to teach 5th grade at Shadeville Elementary School.  Because of her skill and love for art, she became the school art teacher in 2004.  Her family relocated to Wakulla County when her husband was offered the job as head golf pro at St. James Bay Resort in Carrabelle.  Stephanie Hatch adds, “We were told that Crawfordville was the place to house hunt because of the reputation of the Wakulla County Schools.”  Mrs. Hatch has two daughters, Lauren, age 8 and Victoria, age 5.

Stephanie Hatch strives to spark creativity in her students.  She includes instructional content, including vocabulary and technique in her lessons, while allowing for individual flare.  Mrs. Hatch believes all students are artists, “They come to my class to exercise their imagination.”  Mrs. Hatch shares her passion and talent throughout the school.  She is in charge of the Literary Fair, Pumpkin Patch, Original Works and the Shadeville School Calendar.  She is an active member of the Project Learning Tree Committee and the Wakulla County Coalition of the Arts.  This year she is also working to obtain National Board Teacher Certification.  Mrs. Hatch loves to keep kids interested by integrating stories, games, crafts and face painting.

Susan Brazier, Shadeville Principal, applauds Mrs. Hatch.  She enthusiastically states, “Stephanie Hatch is an exceptionally gifted teacher.  She has ensured that Shadeville’s art program is top notch.  Her dedication, hard work and creativity can be seen throughout our school.  As soon as you enter the school, your eyes are met with colorful art pieces that have been created by our school’s youngsters.  If you continue walking down the halls, you feel as if you are in a museum of children’s art.  Masterpieces are even displayed on the ceiling tiles.  Mrs. Hatch makes art come alive.”

Joyce Pigott, The Wakulla County School District December Employee of the Month, has worked for the school system since 1973.  She has roots deep in Wakulla County as she grew up in Smith Creek, right on the Ochlocknee River.  She adds, “When choosing my job in the early 70’s, I knew the school system was the best place to work.  I have never regretted that choice.”

Joyce Pigott enjoys her job registering new students at Wakulla Middle School.  She loves to ask new folks to our community, “What brought you to beautiful Wakulla County?”  She claims at least 90% reply with, “We came for the schools!”

However, it’s the students who touch her heart.  Mrs. Pigott shared a story about a troubled child with an unhappy home life.  Back in the early 70’s a student gave her a Christmas present.  It was a Christmas ornament made from an oyster shell.  His name was printed on the back.  Mrs. Pigott tenderly adds, “I have hung that ornament on my tree every Christmas for thirty years.  This child taught me the joy of giving and receiving.  His oyster shell is a loving reminder.”

Singing in the choir at Sopchoppy Southern Baptist Church and serving in the nursery are ways she gives to the community.  Mrs. Pigott has also served on the Sopchoppy City Commission, has been active with the Sopchoppy Woman’s Club and has been an avid worker for the March of Dimes for over a decade.

Wakulla Middle School Principal, Jo Ann Daniels, believes Joyce Pigott has been a valuable addition to the Wakulla County School District Team for the past 33 years.  Mrs. Daniels adds, “Joyce Pigott is one of those caring people who have the best interests of our students at heart.  She is friendly.  She is courteous.  She is professional. These qualities are important because Joyce is often the first one to greet new families as she registers students new to our school.  Joyce has a positive, patient attitude.  She helps teachers, staff members and district personnel keep track of student records, IEP’s, and health information.  Joyce is organized, neat and efficient.  Joyce Pigott’s good sense of humor and competent work habits make her an invaluable employee.  She is truly dedicated to our school system.  Wakulla Middle School is thrilled to see her recognized.  She has served Wakulla Middle School faithfully for more than 22 years.”

Mike Crouch, WHS Principal, applauds the annual selection of Outstanding School Volunteer.  At the December 18 School Board Meeting he said, “Pam Posey epitomizes the example of parents staying involved with their children throughout their school career.  It is an honor for the high school to have Mrs. Posey as the District Outstanding School Volunteer.”

Pam Posey was nominated by WHS Band Director, Becky Carlin.  From working concession stands to organizing trips to cleaning band uniforms to chaperoning, Pam Posey is the parent volunteer that asks, “What can I do to help?”  In the past two years, she has logged more than 1200 volunteer hours.  She has served in a leadership capacity with the WHS Band Boosters as Treasurer, managing checking accounts, ledgering deposits and creating student receipts.  Becky Carlin adds, “Pam Posey spends so much time with the Band, supporting and helping the students, that all the Band kids call her “mom.”  She makes decisions based on the good of the whole.”  Mrs. Carlin also recognized the support provided by Pam Posey’s husband as well.  She referred to the husband and wife team as the Dynamic Duo.

The Wakulla County Outstanding School Volunteer Award is based on the following criteria:

•    Number of years served
•    Hours served per week
•    Impact on students
•    Impact on school
•    Evidence of service attitude
•    Evidence of service beyond own student. 

Mrs. Posey’s application has been forwarded to DOE for consideration for the State Outstanding School Volunteer Award.  School Board Chairman Jerry Evans presented Mrs. Posey with her plaque and shared, “Parent involvement at WHS goes beyond Band Boosters.  Our school district is a success because of parent involvement and Mrs. Posey, you exemplify that quality.”  School Superintendent David Miller continued with, “A tremendous amount of parent volunteer hours are earned at WHS, from athletic booster organizations, to the ROTC, to the Band and more.  School years are enriched for our students, by the number of parents who unselfishly give their time and energy.”

This article originally published on December 20, 2006.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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