Saylors Congratulates Teachers of the Year

Congratulations on your well-deserved honor of being named (insert state name) 2010 State Teacher of the Year! On behalf of the more than 5 million PTA® members, I can tell you that we are thrilled to see such an inspiring group of exceptional educators.

You’ve shown that your passion and talent for teaching is a powerful combination. You literally spend tens of thousands of hours each year to make sure children receive the highest quality education possible, and yet it’s your dedication beyond the four walls of your classroom that makes you a Teacher of the Year. You don’t just educate students academically, you also teach them about values, work ethic, social behavior, and the characteristics that help them grow into successful adults. In short, you play an integral role in shaping the future of our nation.

This is a great responsibility, but it’s not yours alone. National PTA is a valuable resource for supporting your dedicated efforts. In my 20-plus years as a PTA member, I can tell you from personal experience that the guidance and involvement from teachers, like you, allows our association to grow even stronger each year. I encourage you to use the unique opportunity you have this year to share your insights and urge families to join you with involvement of their own.

You can kick this off with PTA’s Take Your Family to School Week, February 7-13, 2010. During that week, schools and parents across the country will be planning special events to build family-school partnerships. To learn how you can get involved, visit www.pta.org/take_your_family_to_school.asp.

With your special talents and the strength of PTA, your influence as a State Teacher of the Year won’t just last through 2010; it will last through generations. I can’t think of a better way to start off this decade than by encouraging families and other teachers to follow your example.

Congratulations once again and thank you for being such an incredible educator, leader and role model.
Sincerely,

Charles J. “Chuck” Saylors
National PTA President

State Teachers of the Year

• Yung Bui-Kincer, Prattville, AL
• Jackie Lee Johnson, Wasilla, AK
• Merwyden Suluai, Pago Pago, American Samoa
• Joy Weiss, Phoenix, AZ
• Vandy Mechelle Nash, North Little Rock, AR
• Kelly A. Kovacic, San Diego, CA
• Justin Darnell, Arvada, CO
• Kristi M. Luetjen, Hartford, CT
• Mary E. Pinkston, Wilmington, DE
• Susan S. Morris, APO, Department of Defense
• Stephanie Day, Washington, DC
• Megan Marie Allen, Tampa, FL
• Gwen Desselle, Moultrie, GA
• Salvado J. Avilla, Barrigada, Guam
• Wima Chulakote, Kailua, HI
• Kelli L. Smith, Lewiston, ID
• Kevin Rutter, Chicago, IL
• Byron L. Ernest, Sheridan, IN
• Sarah Brown Wessling, Johnston, IA
• Karen Tritt, Lenexa, KS
• Durell Hamm, Florence, KY
• Holly Franks Boffy, Lafayette, LA
• Kevin M. Grover, Falmouth, ME
• Jennifer Burdock Rankin, Frostburg, MD
• Jae Goodwin, Framington, MA
• Robert L. Stephenson, Okemos, MI
• Amber Rose Damm, Minneapolis, MN
• Stacey A. Donaldson, Clinton, MS
• Susanne Mitko, Lee's Summit, MO
• Anne M. Keith, Bozeman, MT
• Michael Fryda, Omaha, NE
• Kathleen L. Schaeffer, Las Vegas, NV
• Eric P. Nash, Stratham, NH
• Maryann Woods-Murphy, Teaneck, NJ
• Peggy S. Jackson, Sandia Park, NM
• Debra J. Calvino, Walden, NY
• Jessica Garner, Indian Trail, NC
• Mary Eldredge-Sandbo, Des Lacs, ND
• Maria Ornes, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
• Jennifer M. Walker, Canfield, OH
• Brian Grimm, Tulsa, OK
• Donna DuBois, Veneta, OR
• Michelle S. Switala, Cranberry Township, PA
• Dana E. Ramey, Newport, RI
• Bryan Coburn, Clover, SC
• Tom L. Mead, Spearfish, SD
• Patty Kiddy, Selmer, TN
• Yushica T. Walker, El Paso, TX
• Mary Jane Morris, Salt Lake City, UT
• Craig M. Divis, Grafton, VT
• Moordale Bryan, Christiansted, Virgin Islands
• Catherine S. Webb, Narrows, VA
• Jamie Yoos, Bellingham, WA
• Gretchen Elaine Shaffer, Morgantown, WV
• Leah Lechleiter-Luke, New Lisbon, WI
• Christine Mills, Torrington, WY