Doris Black is teacher of the year
Published: March 4, 2006
Tears of joy streamed down her face
“Thank you Jesus
Thank you Lord
All I ever wanted to be was a good teacher,” was all Doris Black managed to say Wednesday when school officials walked into her classroom with the news that she had been selected the 2006 Teacher of the Year
She is the exceptional education teacher at James A
Shanks Middle School
The 33-year veteran teacher said she never expected to win the honor and thanked everyone for having faith in her ability
“I promise all of you that I will do all within my power to make you proud of this honor you have given me,” she said, still wiping away tears
“Her commitment and tireless efforts to ensure students are well-rounded, productive citizens represents the epitome of excellence in education,” said her principal, Rosalyn W
Smith
“She consistently demonstrates her leadership skills as she continues to serve as lead teacher for the Exceptional Student Education department at Shanks Middle School
She is a mentor for her peers (in general education and exceptional student education) and does not hesitate to share her time and talents with others,” said Sharon Thomas, program specialist for Exceptional Student Education
Black says the key to her success in the classroom is her knowledge of the subject matter she teaches, the interest she has in each student as an individual with different levels of ability, and making adjustments to suit the student
“The only way to get students to change their attitudes or behavior is to know that I must be the first to adjust,” she said
Because the students she teaches are not like most students in that they require more personal attention, Black tries to fill that void for her students
She said she views teaching as more than a job
“It is my mission
I provide extra time, extra effort, extra skills, and extra commitment to be involved with the whole (student),” she said
Black realizes the challenges her students face
Other than the parents, Black has more contact with her students than anyone else
“I find both personal and professional motivation and satisfaction, especially when I look back and see the fruits of my labor,” she said
She says she is an advocate for youth and tries daily to be a cheerleader for her students
Accomplishments that seem small to others are major milestones for some of Black’s students
“I give my students praise because they need it
I interact with my students, I provide an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, of security, affection, and belonging,” she said
Just walking into Black’s classroom a visitor can immediately sense that it is a place where special needs students can thrive
From the brightly colored cubes to the bulletin board to the reading center covered with huge throw pillows, the room is conducive to learning and exploring
“My classes consist of students with varied exceptionalities
It is important that I select the appropriate teaching strategies,” she said
Through the years she has perfected ways to build interest in the students to learn, to help them set goals, and to aid them in developing skills that others doubted they could master
Black is a native of Quincy
She attended Stevens Elementary School, Carter- Parramore High School, Edward Waters College before earning a Master’s Degree in Education from Florida A & M University
She further studied at Florida State University
For the past 17 years she has been an exceptional education instruction
“Her recognition with the distinguished honor is a tribute to her service, her colleagues, and this community,” Smith said
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