Rookie Teacher of the Year

Establishing Relationships, Making Learning Fun

When asked about her teaching style, Leah Carper, a first-year teacher at Western Guilford High, is quick to reference Mary Poppins. This witty movie character once said: “For every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find that fun, and snap, the job’s a game!”

As a rookie teacher, Carper has incorporated this attitude into her classroom. “Through my teaching experience, I have learned that teens learn, and more importantly, want to learn, if the class is fun,” Carper said.

Carper has strived to reach every one of her ninth-grade students by establishing positive relationships, incorporating pop culture into the classroom and cracking jokes about characters in novels. “Ms. Carper creates an environment which encourages learning,” said Western High Assistant Principal Shirley Stipe-Zendle. “She asks sustaining questions and answers students’ questions with respect. She utilizes a variety of materials and strategies, making learning fun.”
             
Because of her hard work and dedication during her first year teaching, Carper was named the Guilford County Schools Rookie Teacher of the Year for 2006-07. She was also named the Secondary Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Carper was up against five finalists for the award, and received $500 and a scholarship worth $10,000 to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for a Master’s degree. Richard Sherman from Foust Elementary was named the Elementary Rookie Teacher of the Year and received $500. 
           
The other finalists included: Molly Flynt from Colfax Elementary, Eric Lyons from Florence Elementary, Katherine Finch from Ferndale Middle and Victoria Payne from Guilford Day School. They received $100 each. The event is sponsored by the Guilford Education Alliance, BB&T and VF Corporation.