Vermont honors top teacher
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Associated Press - Published: September 21, 2005
CAVENDISH — A Cavendish elementary school teacher skilled at teaching math has been recognized as the 2006 Vermont Teacher of the Year.
Jennifer Harper, a fourth-grade teacher at the Cavendish Town Elementary School, was honored by the state Board of Education on Tuesday.
"Outstanding teachers like Jennifer act as role models for teachers throughout the state," said Education Commissioner Richard Cate. "She recognized her own need to gain more knowledge about math instruction strategies and now she helps her students achieve success by applying these strategies."
Harper earned a master's degree in math through the Vermont Mathematics Initiative, a state program designed to help elementary school teachers better teach math. She said completing the program was the greatest accomplishment in her career.
She now is able to help both students and other teachers understand math.
"It is my belief that students who learn through experience will retain the material longer and understand it better than if it is just presented to them," Harper said. "I work hard to provide an environment that enables students to make mistakes and learn from their mistakes without being intimidated."
Harper also teaches a graduate math course for teachers in southern Vermont.
She recently earned the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
As Vermont's Teacher of the Year, Harper will travel the state and country visiting schools and working with teachers.
Harper graduated from Castleton State College and earned a master's degree in education from the University of Vermont. She has taught in Vermont for 13 years.
On Tuesday, she received a $3,000 grant from Hannaford Bros. Co. for classroom materials. Two finalists also were honored: Adrienne Magida, a multi-age classroom teacher for grades 1-2 at Thatcher Brook Primary School in Waterbury; and Donna Lamoureux, a first-grade teacher at State Street School in Windsor.
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