Arrowhead Teachers of the Year

arrowhead high school 

teachers of the year

Congratulations to the Arrowhead High School 2013 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR!!!!

South Campus
Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Terry Carnell

“Terri is invested in every student's achievement--in every content area. And Terri is invested in helping our school remain an exemplar. This year, Terri has taken the lead in our school's reading initiative. Terri created handouts and suggestions for implementing good reading strategies into each discipline. Terri compiled and shared these documents via Google Drive. In addition, she asked Doug Buehl to come in and speak with our staff.  To continue to help our students and staff, Terri holds monthly Professional Collaboration Team sessions on reading.  In addition, Terri is always reading books about teaching reading, recommending them to staff members, and not only implementing new ideas into her classroom, but also encouraging other teachers to implement these strategies as well.”  The following are a few of the comments shared by staff about Terri:

“Not only was Terri integral to Arrowhead's RtI implementation, but she is also vital to the students she helps. To set up RtI, Terri created the forms, identifications and interventions. Terri has spent hours working to help AHS implement RtI.”

“Terri cared so much about her students, and they knew that ... and they didn't want to lose her attention, care or empathy. So what Terri did next was so telling of her character, dedication and personality: Terri gave up her prep time second semester to continue to mentor those students.”

“Terri is the most patient, kind, empathetic, understanding and compassionate teacher. I am impressed with the number of quality, engaging and relevant activities she is able to accomplish in 40-minutes.”

“In her classroom, Terri listens and responds to her students. She calmly guides them through the learning process, yet she is also expressive and enthusiastic, capturing students through verbal and nonverbal communication.”

“She has created opportunities for self-directed learning, fostering a love of writing.”

“…she creates a non-threatening learning environment; she is well organized; she possesses in-depth knowledge; she has broad interests; she thinks creatively; she possesses excellent communication skills; and she understands and meets the needs of her students.”

“Terri continues to be a pioneer in our online and hybrid courses. Terri teaches online Advanced Composition classes each summer, she also teaches hybrid advanced composition courses during the school year.”

“She is always growing professionally and sharing what she's learned with the AHS

staff.”

A student said, “I loved writing and English, but there were about 35 students in the class and only five of them were girls, including me. The rest were loud, obnoxious boys. But a few days into the class, I was delightfully proven wrong. Even though Mrs. Carnell was quiet and never reprimanded kids, she had a commanding presence. And when she talked, everyone was interested in what she was saying.”

The student went on to say, “If a student ever needed help with an assignment, whether it was from her class or not, or wanted to go over an essay with her, Mrs. Carnell would stay after school for as long as they needed.”

Another student stated, “Mrs. Carnell is more than just a teacher. She has the ability to make a connection with the kids most other teachers have dropped, or given up on. She has the ability to spark a fire in students, whose fire was thought to have gone out a long time ago. She works hard so they can get good grades in not only her class, but also in every other class they have.”

North Campus
Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Leah Cull

“Leah has been instrumental in the development of Rtl at Arrowhead. During the last three years, she was a leader of interventions, piloting her own Project Best Intervention last year with a group of struggling students who were not passing any of their classes.  Leah volunteered her only prep period to make this work because she was already scheduled with classes and her duty in the Learning Center. Seeing the data, Leah was on a mission to change the course that the struggling students were on. She was frequently in contact with her colleagues to determine how she could best assist her students with their missing work, and she is still in contact with those students today. The kids looked forward to coming into her class, celebrating their successes, and connecting with Leah. Her compassionate nature resonates with these students who feel that most people have given up on them; she refuses.” The following are a few of the comments shared by staff about Leah:

“Last year, Leah took her interest in assisting at-risk students to the next level by completing her Alternative Education licensure. As a result, she initiated changes in the Alternative Education program, striving to help even the most challenging students graduate with a regular diploma because that is important to them. Leah sees kids as kids, treating everyone with respect and opportunity.”

“…she is currently trying to implement the GEDO option for those students who can't succeed in any of Arrowhead's current programs. Last semester, one particular student facing numerous obstacles graduated with Leah's dedicated assistance.”

“If anyone needs ideas for working with difficult students, Leah is the go-to person. She has attended a variety of conferences and workshops and is always reading professional literature, looking for new ideas and effective strategies.”

“Leah also models integrity, innovation, and intensity.”

“Leah's compassion is captivating.”

“No matter what the class, Leah motivates her kids by showing she cares. Her respect for students fosters mutual respect for her; therefore, even the most apathetic students take notice. She has a great sense of humor which stimulates a conducive environment for learning.”

“Beyond the doors of her classroom, Leah was integral in the creation of the Farm Class. While the students did as much as possible, this required significant time and effort from Leah and her family to prepare the land, plant the crops, weed, water, water, water, and take care of the field after the harvest. Selling the produce raised was orchestrated by her leadership.”

“She spends hours helping kids find the right jobs, fill out lengthy applications, prepare for interviews, and maintain employment skills. On many occasions, Leah has gone to businesses in the area to inquire about opportunities for her students to gain work experience and to vouch for their character.”

“…probably the most amazing way Leah works with the community is through her Developing Relationships class. She motivates the students to devise their own Spotlight Project where they come up with original ideas to better those around them. Over the past years, students have regularly walked dogs for residents of a retirement home, collected clothes and toiletries for the Hebron House, designed and sold wristbands in honor of Christopher with the money raised going to support the Make a Wish Foundation, and constructed Build-a-Bear animals for patients at Children's Hospital. Of all Leah's attributes, I admire this about her the most. She has dedicated her life to serving others, and this assignment is a testimony to that.”

One young man (an Arrowhead student) said, "She always knew what I needed to do, and she didn't get mad at me for not having it done, she just helped me."

At a parent meeting last May, one mom was in tears, hugging Leah because she was so happy that her daughter had made such progress under Leah's guidance. The student and her mom both stay in contact with Leah today…

Please join us in congratulating Terri and Leah, as well as all of this year’s nominees for Teacher of the Year.  Arrowhead has many remarkable and extraordinary staff members.   Your hard work, dedication, caring and commitment has served to provide our students with many exceptional learning experiences.  Our Arrowhead Teachers of the Year will be recognized at the Honors Recognition Monday, April 22, 2013 in the North Campus commons area starting at 6:00 pm.