Metro School March 2015

Teacher of the Year

Paula Taylor

1. Tell us about yourself ~ Paula Taylor

I was born and raised in Costa Rica. I taught in a private school for 2 years and then the

opportunity opened for me to come to the United States to pursue a graduate program. I

went to University of South Florida and finished a Master's in Special Education. While

there, I met a handsome sailor and married him. He got stationed in San Diego, CA and

we moved. In need of a job, I took a position in a SAC classroom. All my doubts went

away, I found my passion teaching students with the most severe cognitive and physical

needs. I worked there for 3 years. Once my husband's duty was finished in the Navy, we

moved back to the East coast to be closer to family, driving across country with

newborn. Once in North Carolina, I took a SAC position at a Middle School and after 3

years the student enrollment decreased and I was transferred to Metro... And this is my

final stop.

2. Why do you like working with children?

Working with children excites me because I love to see them succeed. Working with

special needs children, makes me even happier because the accomplishments are bigger

at a different level.

3. Who are your heroes?

I have always admired Franklin Chang Diaz, he is a Costa Rican scientist and former

astronaut for NASA. He is someone that I admire, because he didn't let his humble

beginnings opaque his goals.

4. Who inspired you to go into education?

Even though, come from a family of teachers and professors, my first year teaching, I had

a student with special needs. He brought out in me my passion for Special Education.

5. What are some of your favorite books?

I love to read, especially during the summer. I am not good recalling titles or authors but

my favorite genre is fiction.

My all-time favorites are "The Robe" and the "The Little Prince"

PS – Ms. Taylor was also nominated as Metro’s representative for

MeckEd Teacher of Excellence!!

1. Tell us about yourself ~ Eddie Hubert I am a Charlotte native who graduated a few years ago from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in Kinesiology. While there I was very active in the Greensboro community by coordinating programs, and events, holding leadership positions in the student government, Greek life, and a variety of other student organizations. Before college I joined the US Air Force Reserve and was trained as an aircraft hydraulics maintainer on the KC-135R aircraft. I drilled at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC and was awarded several decorations including an Air Force Achievement Medal for meritorious service. At

First Year Teacher

of the Year

Eddie Hubert

the end of my enlistment I held the rank of a Staff Sergeant. In my free time I enjoy reading, working out, cooking, collecting vinyl records, and sampling various cigars. Additionally, I have a one and a half year old daughter who keeps me very busy and entertained. 2. Why do you like working with children? Due to a variety of circumstances, I believe that I was forced to grow up a little bit sooner than most of my peers. This is nothing that I think about in a cold manner, but I admit that there are quite a few things that I missed out on in my childhood. In my opinion, working with children gives me the ability to recapture some of those lost experiences. Whether it is horse playing, cracking jokes, or even laying around coloring, I think that experiences like that definitely help to keep one young. Children have a way of viewing the world with a sincerity and optimism that tends to settle down as we get older. 3. Who are your heroes? Muhammad Ali, Superman 4. Who inspired you to go into education? I was inspired to teach unknowingly by my interaction with several family members with intellectual disabilities. These individuals were not able to get an education due to the lack of knowledge on what an intellectual disability was at the time and the lack of resources conducive to educating them in a meaningful way. As a child I distinctly remember coming home from school (around kindergarten or first grade) and attempting to try to teach what I had learned to them. As you can imagine, it can be quite overwhelming for a six or seven year old to try to educate people in their late 40's and early 50's, especially if the kid has little to no formal understanding of what an intellectual disability is. Those memories have remained with me for quite some time, so much in fact that I would say my family members inspired me greatly. I was also inspired by my seventh grade teacher Mrs. McIntyre. She simply showed me that a teacher does more than just teach in the school from 7 to 3. There is a level of caring and compassion found in good teachers that she embodied greatly. Lastly, I would say that my older cousin has been inspiring me to pursue education for quite some time, primarily because I have seen the positive effects of her leading and guiding her students. Whether it is a random college graduation invitation, or simply passing by a former student in the store, she definitely has made an impact on the lives of the student she has come across. 5. What are some of your favorite books? "Manchild in the Promised Land" by Claude Brown and "What Makes the Great

Great" by Dr. Dennis Kimbro as my favorite books, thanks!

Teacher Assistant of the Year

Cynthia Yates

1. Tell us about yourself ~ Cynthia Yates I grew up in Charlotte, graduated from West Mecklenburg and obtained an Associates Degree from CPCC. I am married with one daughter and one son. We live in a log home in Cabarrus County near the Charlotte Motor Speedway where we operate a small family campground. We like to vacation in Mexico where we snorkel and scuba dive. 2. Why do you like working with children? I love working with children because I am still a child at heart. I delight in their sweet natures and excitement for discovering life's wonders. I am truly blessed to have this wonderful opportunity to work at Metro with such adorable children and dedicated staff. 3. Who are your heroes? It is difficult to select just one hero from my supportive family. However my mother, Gladys Kiser is my greatest hero. She taught at Wilson Middle School and has been my role model in pursuing my career in education. 4. Who inspired you to go into education? My mother is my moral compass and her determination to achieve goals has been my guiding light. 5. What are some of your favorite books? My favorite books are biographies. I also enjoy children's books. The Wind in the Willows is one of my favorites because it is so beautifully written.

Seven Brave Women By Betsy Hearne

SAVE THE DATE - FAMILY FUN DAY

FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

9:00 – 2:00

Book Summary: This wonderful book is a journey

through time with seven women who left their

indelible imprints on the past.

The character trait for this month is:

COURAGE

Doing the right thing in the face of difficulty and

following your conscience instead of the crowd.

Cool Websites to Checkout

www.eduplace.com

www.dltk-teach.com

Book vocabulary – Talk to your child about these words

and point to them in the story: history boat blankets

great-grandmother brave fight forest mother

The CMS 18th Annual Transition Fair is on the way! NAVIGATING YOUR FUTURE

Thursday, March 26, 2015 5:00 – 8:00 pm

East Mecklenburg High School Cafeteria 6800 Monroe Road Charlotte, NC 28212

The purpose of the Transition Fair is to inform parents, students

and educators of the services available in Mecklenburg County for

persons with disabilities.

SAVE THE DATE - METRO GRADUATION

SAVE THE DATE – METRO PROM Friday, May 1, 2015

Matthews United Methodist Church 801 South Trade St.

Matthews, NC 28105 School Parade will start promptly at 9:00

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Read Across

America Day Dr. Seuss Day

3 4 5 6 7

8 9 School

Leadership Meeting

6:00 – 7:00

10 11 METRO TIGER

DAY

12

13 Table Talk with the Administrative team

1:15 – 2:15 Transitions

(Pre-K to Elem, Elem to Middle,

Middle to High and High to Transition)

14

15 16 17 18 Assembly Dawn Anthony Milltown to Motown

19 20 Student/Faculty

Basketball game

1:15 pm

21

22 23 24 25 Spring Pictures Pre-Pay ONLY

26 CMS Transition Fair

5:00 – 8:00 pm East Mecklenburg

High School 6800 Monroe Road Charlotte, NC 28212

27 28

29 30 31 Last Day of 3rd quarter

March

Important Dates: Extend 1 testing for 11th graders

3/3 – 3/17

Extend 1 testing for 3rd – 10th graders (excluding 9th grade)

5/18 – 6/10

Spring Break April 6th - April 10th April 3rd – Teacher Workday