NEWBERRY — The Newberry County School District held its professional development sessions on Aug. 11 at Newberry High School in preparation for the 2017-18 school year.

A day of training sessions led by district professionals for district teachers and staff culminated in a pep rally and celebration that included announcing the 2017-18 NCSD Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year. School began Aug. 17.

Superintendent Jim Suber reminded the district of its One District, One Team, One Mission motto. He recognized new teachers and veteran teachers, asking the experienced educators to mentor and support the newly minted teaching professionals.

School Board Chairman Jody Hamm’s remarks emphasized what he describes as the positive relationship between the board and superintendent, which he said is not the case in all districts in South Carolina.

He reminded those in attendance that the board would do everything it could to support the faculty and staff in their efforts to educate the county’s children. Hamm encouraged teachers to do their very best for the children they teach, teaching with enthusiasm and passion every day.

Suber recognized the many accomplishments of the District for 2016-2017 which included district, students and staff. The District’s 20-year excellence in financial reporting; Little Mountain Elementary as a finalist for Palmetto’s Finest; Newberry Elementary for the SC ASCD Whole Child Award as one of the healthiest schools in the nation by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation; Mid-Carolina Middle School as a National School to Watch and 119 industry certifications issued through the Newberry County Career Center were among the many items highlighted.

Staff recognitions included, but were not limited to, Pomaria-Garmany Principal Lindsey Folk was honored the 2016-17 SCIRA Administrator of the Year and Newberry Elementary School Principal Reggie Wicker was feted as an emerging leader by the SC Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and to Little Mountain Elementary Nurse Sally Dominick as the 2016-17 School Nurse of the Year in South Carolina.

Beverly Wood, middle school science teacher from Whitmire Community School, is the 2017-18 district Teacher of the Year. Runner up was Naketa Dean of Newberry Elementary School.

Maribel Martinez, Day Porter at Newberry County Career Center, was named Support Staff Employee of the Year for 2017-2018

Runner up was Gina Zolan, school nurse at Reuben Elementary School. The teacher of the year and support staff of the year also received rings to honor them courtesy of Josten.

Frances Meetze, 2016-17 District Teacher of the Year, spoke of teachers who made incredible impacts upon her life and inspired her to become an educator, teachers including Gina Veda, Debra Templin and MCMS Principal Deedee Westwood.

Meetze spoke of the importance of relationships and relationship building among teachers and students. To her, those relationships provide the bedrock onto which learning can take place.

Beverly Wood, middle school science teacher from Whitmire Community School, is the 2017-18 district Teacher of the Year.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_kickoff-1-.jpgBeverly Wood, middle school science teacher from Whitmire Community School, is the 2017-18 district Teacher of the Year. Kevin Boozer | For The Newberry Observer

Maribel Martinez, Day Porter at Newberry County Career Center was named Support Staff Employee of the Year for 2017-2018.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_kickoff-12-.jpgMaribel Martinez, Day Porter at Newberry County Career Center was named Support Staff Employee of the Year for 2017-2018. Kevin Boozer | For The Newberry Observer

The Gallman Gator helped his school show its school spirit.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_kickoff-3-.jpgThe Gallman Gator helped his school show its school spirit. Kevin Boozer | For The Newberry Observer

Newberry High School hosted the event and showed its school spirit with a flag waving pep rally chant.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_kickoff-8-.jpgNewberry High School hosted the event and showed its school spirit with a flag waving pep rally chant. Kevin Boozer | For The Newberry Observer

NCSD Superintendent Jim Suber poses with an elementary school animal mascot.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_kickoff-13-.jpgNCSD Superintendent Jim Suber poses with an elementary school animal mascot. Kevin Boozer | For The Newberry Observer

Whitmire Community School color guard members show their stuff.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_kickoff-29-.jpgWhitmire Community School color guard members show their stuff. Kevin Boozer | For The Newberry Observer

NES Parenting Coordinator Carlton Kinard accompanies Newberry Elementary School in its spirit cheer song.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_kickoff-24-.jpgNES Parenting Coordinator Carlton Kinard accompanies Newberry Elementary School in its spirit cheer song. Kevin Boozer | For The Newberry Observer

By Kevin Boozer

For The Newberry Observer