"Ms. Jones creates engaging lessons for her students. She cares about her students and finds ways to get to know each one. She is dedicated to making P.E. educational and fun."

~Colleen Boyea

"I would like to take a moment to recognize Ms. Gadaraju for her outstanding dedication and positive impact on our team and students. She is a thoughtful and collaborative team member who is always willing to share ideas, offer support, and contribute to our collective success. Her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to doing what is best for students make her an invaluable part of our second grade team."

~Julia Hooper

“You Have Survived” Congratulations on making 1yr through the West Meck Gauntlet."

Teaching our WM Students requires serious grit, to sustain you, not all can handle it. From the endless assignments, grading piles, exams, to the chaotic classroom moments, you managed to hang in there.  Think back to Day 1 on up to Now, and focus on the growth. Use that knowledge to Prepare you for Year #2. Well Done, Well Done…!!"

~MSgt Saunders

"Dr. Wheatley shows up for me when teaching is at its hardest. After experiencing the heart-wrenching loss of a student, Dr. Wheatley was there for me. She is a reminder of how North Meck is a community that cares for one another."

~Alex Brown

"Ms. Murr is the perfect example of a mentor teacher. She is always very helpful and patient with me when I have an issue even when I am frustrated about it. She is also a good mentor is the mindset that leads to good teaching and a good balance between work and personal life. She shows what it is like to never stop striving to be a better educator and peer and I'm very happy to have her as my example and mentor."

~Melanie Butler

“Mr. Brewer has been my mentor all year.  He has answered all my questions, provided advice on new situations, done a daily check-in at the end of the day as we come back from the bus lot, and been available when I may need clarification or support with anything that has arisen. He provided me with a lot of support when I was working on my PDP and my Evaluation.  He has been invaluable to me this year, and I am grateful for the time he has spent to help me be a better teacher."

~Lucette Helotie

"Thank you for you consist dedication and support."

~Meredith Stewart

"I wanted to take a moment to sincerely recognize and thank Mr. Mace for the incredible support her provided during my first year as a beginner teacher. His patience, depth of knowledge, and consistent availability made a meaningful difference in my growth and confidence."

~Renata Wesner

“Thank you for your time and energy in training and teaching me all the ropes as a EC Teacher 1st year teacher."

~Jacqueline Davis

"I am so grateful for the support and encouragement you have given me as a beginner teacher. Your advice, understanding, and constant guidance have helped me build confidence and grow both personally and professionally. Thank you for always being there to support me"

~Keerthana Jayaraman Radha

"Mrs. Jack has done an amazing job or planning our Beginning Teacher meetings that are relevant and engaging. She makes sure we have fun with team building activities and delivers important information and trainings to the mentees and mentors."

~Susan Hooper

“This Shout-Out is to say a Huge Thank You for all the support and love you show and provide to the whole BT Program. Your thoughtfulness goes a long way as we start the meetings in the early morning but you make sure we have treats, and snacks and the positivity and upbeat atmosphere make it all worthwhile!"

~Wyounda Horton

"Tina Jones is our Beginning Teacher Coordinator at our school.  She has worked tirelessly to motivate and support the Beginning Teachers at our school.  This has included demonstrating lessons, working in classrooms to support teachers struggling with classroom management, and encouraging teachers to advocate for themselves when needed.  Ms. Jones even finds time to encourage and celebrate the Mentors that serve at our school."

~Kelly Crosby

"She has made this a wonderful experience for me and I think other new teacher. She has been very pleasant,and the resources that she has given me and the other teachers has been very helpful. Thank you for including teachers whom you asked to share their skill sets. This has built confidence among out peers. I believe this is strong leadership. Great job."

~Craig Norman

“I would like to formally recognize my assistant principal, Ms. Ladonna Ardrey, also known as Mrs. Chambers, for her outstanding leadership and dedication. She consistently ensures that our mentor/mentee meetings are well-organized, engaging, and highly informative, keeping all participants actively involved and accountable. I sincerely appreciate the time, effort, and thoughtful communication she invests through her emails and guidance. Thank you, Mrs. Chambers, for your continued commitment to supporting and developing us into effective mentors."

~Kharole Chin Graham

"I'd like to give a shout-out to Mr. Bower for this steady leadership, infectious enthusiasm, and consistently positive attitude, and motivating everyone throughout the school year, and a can-do-attitude. And aligning new teachers with mentors "

~Rey Gullien

"I would like to give a heartfelt shoutout to our principal for the incredible support and encouragement he has given me throughout my journey into teaching.

I joined Pineville Elementary last year as a teacher assistant, and from the very beginning, he recognized strengths in me that I did not always see in myself. His confidence, trust, and encouragement motivated me to continue growing professionally and personally.

As a beginning teacher, having an administrator who believes in your potential and encourages you to take on new challenges makes a huge difference. Throughout this year, he has continued to support innovation, creativity, and teacher growth.

With his encouragement and support, I was able to step confidently into my new role as an art teacher and organize a schoolwide art show showcasing over 750 student artworks for our families and community.

I am deeply grateful for his leadership, positivity, and belief in people. He creates a school culture where teachers feel supported, valued, and inspired to grow."

~Pooja Jani

“Mrs. Whitfield has been an AMAZING mentor to me during my first year with CMS. The empathy and caring attitude she has for us Beginning teachers doesn’t go unnoticed and I am thankful to have her in leadership at my school! "

~Takera Harvin

"I would like to proudly nominate Danielle K. Belton for recognition as an outstanding school administrator for her incredible support of beginning and mentor teachers, as well as the entire school community. Mrs. Belton is a visionary leader who leads by example every day. She believes in her staff, students, and the potential within each person she serves. Her leadership inspires educators to grow and become their best. What makes Mrs. Belton exceptional is her ability to see greatness in others before they see it in themselves. When I a teacher assistant, she believed I could become a teacher. She encouraged me to return to school, earn my bachelor's degree, and pursue my dream of becoming an educator. Because of her encouragement and support, I proudly became a Pre-K teacher this year and was honored to be named Beginning Teacher of the Year at Paw Creek Elementary School. Mrs. Belton pours into everyone in our school community. She makes every person feel valued and respected. Her love for children and the commitment to excellence create a positive school culture where everyone thrives. Our school motto, "Speak it, believe it, become it," reflects the leadership she models daily. She has inspired me and many others to believe in ourselves and reach our full potential. I am proud to be part of the Paw Creek Elementary School family and to serve under Mrs. Belton's leadership. I would not be the educator I am today without her guidance, mentorship, and belief in me. Danielle Belton truly deserves this recognition for the lasting impact she makes on students, staff, and the entire school community."

~Rachelle Gethers

"I would like to recognize Mr. Brady Monismith for his exceptional leadership and commitment to our Beginning Teacher (BT) and Mentor Program.

Mr. Monismith worked diligently to secure district funding for, and thoughtfully organized, a full-day BT and Mentor Learning Walk experience for each of our BT/Mentor pairs (12 of them!) These experiences provided meaningful opportunities for teachers to visit classrooms, collaborate on lesson planning, explore parent communication strategies, strengthen classroom management practices, and engage in IB-aligned instruction. He ensured every logistical detail was handled, from helping teachers secure substitutes to creating a seamless learning experience for participants.

What makes his leadership even more impactful is his personal investment. Mr. Monismith regularly participated in the learning walks alongside teachers, helping to guide reflective conversations and facilitate rich, purposeful discussions. He also led end-of-day debrief sessions that allowed the teachers to synthesize their learning and plan for immediate classroom application.

Beyond these initiatives, Mr. Monismith consistently ensures that teacher observations and Professional Development Plans (PDPs) are completed in a timely and supportive manner. He plays an integral role in planning and facilitating monthly BT and Mentor meetings that are intentionally designed based on needs assessment data, ensuring that each session is relevant, practical, and responsive to our BTs' needs.

He goes above and beyond by taking the time to check in with beginning teachers who may need additional support, offering encouragement, guidance, and solutions. Just as importantly, he makes it a priority to recognize and celebrate the efforts of our first-year teachers, helping them feel valued and appreciated as they grow in their profession.

Through it all, Mr. Monismith maintains a positive, approachable demeanor and a genuine willingness to support others. He balances these contributions alongside his many administrative responsibilities. His dedication has made a lasting impact on both teacher development and the overall culture of support within our school community. We are so lucky to have him in this role!"

~Karen Gorman

"Sara is THE most wonderful Administrator over our BT program. I have not been teaching for almost 10 years and I was part of her BT program. Under her leadership, I learned so many nuances that college doesn't prepare you for. Once upon a time, we were all BTs and we were nervous about not doing our best, or missing a deadline. Sara has cultivated a welcoming and supportive environment in our BT program that I volunteered to be a Mentor myself. It's one thing to be a good leader, its a stamp of TRUE leadership to remember what it was like to be a brand new teacher and having patience and grace with others in the same situation.  Thank you Sara for not just being an awesome colleague, but a impactful soul in education!"

~Ileana Castillo

"Thank you for the constant effort, care, and support you show toward teachers. Your leadership inspires us, and the time you invest in helping us succeed means so much. We appreciate all that you do to make our school a better place for both staff and students."

~Keerthana Jayaraman Radha

"Behind every supported teacher is a leader who truly cares. Thank you for the effort, encouragement, and dedication you show every day to help teachers grow and succeed. We appreciate you and all that you do for our school community!"

~Keerthana Jayaraman Radha 

“Shoutout to Mrs. Meekins, an incredible administrator whose dedication to professional development makes a lasting impact on our entire program! Your ability to create engaging , meaningful training opportunities helps every team member grow in confidence , strengthen their skills, and continue developing professionally."

~Phyllis Butcher

"Shoutout to Ms. Hall for her unwavering support and dedication to beginning teachers and mentors. Her experience, guidance, and problem-solving skills make a real difference in helping new educators thrive. Thank you for being such a valuable leader and mentor!"

~Shon Henderson

"As a first-year EC Teacher at Palisades High School, I could not have asked for a better mentor and leader than Mr. Mullis. From the very beginning of the school year to the final stretch, he has been an incredibly patient, steady guide.

Mr. Mullis possesses the perfect balance of providing constructive teaching and correction while simultaneously pushing me toward independence in my role as an ECGC teacher. He consistently maintains a highly positive attitude and fosters a wonderful learning environment for everyone around him.

What truly sets Mr. Mullis apart is his ability to build meaningful relationships with both our staff and our students. A massive part of why I have loved being a part of the team here at Palisades High is because of his exceptional leadership. I am so excited to return next year and continue growing as a beginning teacher under his guidance, and he deserves the highest recognition for the fantastic work he does every day!"

~Patricia Freeman 

“Shout Out to Courtney Derrick for being such an incredible mentor during my first year of teaching! She has a remarkable way of both lifting me up during challenging moments and recognizing my potential, all while holding me to the same high standards as more experienced teachers. That balance is no easy task, yet she does it in such a beautiful way, day in and day out. I truly believe I would not have been named my school’s Beginning Teacher of the Year without her support and guidance! I am lucky to call her my Mentor, our school's principal, and someone who has become a friend."

~Arianna Ferretti

"Ms. Barclay is such a supportive administrator. She answers all of my questions with patience and kindness, and always makes me feel supported and recognized. I certainly couldn't have made it through my first year without her guidance and mentorship."

~Mikyra Jones

"Thank you for being such an amazing Administrator.  Shout out to our amazing World Languages admin for your continued support, leadership, and dedication to our department! Your guidance truly empowers us to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences for our students. We appreciate you!"

~Priscilla Jankatt-Das

“Mrs. Haven Blanks plays a vital role in leading the Beginning Teacher Program by honoring and recognizing the contributions of both mentors and mentees, fostering a culture of appreciation and growth. She intentionally cultivates a safe, supportive, and positive environment that promotes effective instructional practices and professional learning. Through her work, she prioritizes strong, trusting relationships with all stakeholders, ensuring that beginning teachers feel valued, supported, and empowered to develop and succeed."

~Merita Little

"I want to give a huge shout-out to Mr. Turnbull. He truly embodies the "Capturing Kids' Hearts" philosophy. Every single morning, he is on the move, greeting every teacher and student by name and asking how they are doing. On a personal note, when I was struggling at the beginning of the school year, he immediately gave me the time and space to recharge and connected me with helpful staff resources. Thank you, Mr. Turnbull, for your leadership and care!"

~Sarah Alshaban

"Dr. Roberts has done an AMAZING job rebuilding the school community of River Oaks Academy. She is a champion for all children and continues to hold herself and staff to this standard. You are so appreciated Dr. Roberts! "

~Asyah MciLwain