Awesome Teachers

Jay Flaherty: When in Doubt, Act Like a 7th Grader

in

Front Porch Magazine
December 2013 (pg 21)

It’s tough to reach students, especially middle school students.  With the noisy spectacle of our world today, making connections has become one of the most difficult challenges for teachers.  They must be adept at engaging students in a technology driven environment, where games become the norm and success is measured by reward alone.  So, when Jay Flaherty, a 7th grade civics teacher at Dixon-Smith Middle School in Stafford County, was nominated by a student last December for B101.5’s A+ Teacher of the Month and received a surprise visit from the DJs during lunch, he was humbled and honored.  You see, Mr. Flaherty is all about making connections with the kids, and they know it.

Jay Flaherty teaches his 7th Grade government class at Dixon-Smith Middle School in Stafford County, VA.

Autumn Dalton: One Teacher

in

Front Porch Magazine
November 2013 (pg 7)

 

Recently, in her emboldened speech to the United Nations, Malala Yousafzai passionately proclaimed, “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”  Selflessly, Yousafzai has pressed educational inequalities to the global forefront, braving threats and defying death to bring her message to the world.  Yet, here in America, education and teachers are often portrayed in less than flattering light.  Here, the concentration is often on what schools are doing wrong, rather than on what committed teachers are doing right. 

One such teacher is Autumn Dalton, a seven year veteran of Stafford Senior High School’s English department.  Vivacious and vibrant as her fuscia tipped curls, Dalton says her choice of career was never a question.  “I’ve always liked knowing things and teaching people, and I have definitely always admired teachers.  I’ve wanted to be a teacher since kindergarten.  I went to a very poor elementary school, but there were some extremely dedicated women working there who were very good at what they did. ”

Photo provided by Autumn Dalton