Valerie teacher named DPS Teacher of the Year

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Dayton Public Schools 2011 Teacher of the Year Marcella Barrett (center), Valerie PreK-8, is joined by first runner-up Carol Andrews, Edison PreK-8 (right) and Nancy Vogel, WOW PreK-8.

Bella Photographics Dayton Public Schools 2011 Teacher of the Year Marcella Barrett (center), Valerie PreK-8, is joined by first runner-up Carol Andrews, Edison PreK-8 (right) and Nancy Vogel, WOW PreK-8.

Staff Report Updated 6:35 AM Monday, May 9, 2011

DAYTON — Marcella Barrett, a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Valerie PreK-8 School, is Dayton Public Schools’ 2011 Teacher of the Year.

Barrett has taught in the district for eight years and also is an author and community volunteer.

District colleagues, community members, Valerie parents and even students submitted recommendation letters on behalf of Barrett’s nomination. They described her as a dedicated, compassionate and energetic educator.

Barrett received the Miami Valley Invention Convention Teacher of Excellence award in 2006, in part through a nomination by a student who noted that she made sure every student understood a math concept that was being taught before she moved on to a new lesson.

In 2009, Barrett released a self-published book, “And The Tree Cried Out,” which encourages students to be good stewards of the Earth.

At Valerie, Barrett serves as spelling bee coordinator, Junior National Honor Society adviser, building technology integration coordinator and parent involvement team chair.

First runner-up was Carol Andrews, a math and language arts intervention specialist at Edison PreK-8. Andrews, who previously taught at Thurgood Marshall High School, was inspired to become a teacher by her son, who was diagnosed with learning disabilities and later went on to become a lawyer. Her classroom method includes getting students to set new learning goals each day and providing the means to help them achieve those goals.

Second runner-up was Nancy Vogel, an art teacher at World of Wonder PreK-8 School. Vogel, who has been with the district since 1994, creates lessons that dovetail with important academic standards in all areas. She is one of 24 National Board Certified Teachers in the district.

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