Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools January 2015 | Page 14

Jennifer Whitley, a Civics and World History teacher at Forest Hills High School,
has been named the 2014 Southwest Regional Teacher of the Year.
Jennifer Whitley, a civics and world history
how to do things differently in a non-stressful
teacher at Forest Hills High School, has been
environment, a real mom away from home,
chosen as the 2014 Southwest Regional
while parents say she keeps her students
Teacher of the Year.
motivated, and has a heart for their children.
Whitley said she was humbled that the
During the ceremony, FHHS Principal Dr.
Region 6 team considered her the best
Kevin Plue said Whitley can teach any child, no
teacher in this region for this year.
matter what level or background.
“I’m excited and overwhelmed,” she said.
“That is a special teacher who can teach kids
“There are so many great educators out there.
who are going to any four-year university, but
I’m really excited that Forest Hills is going to
also can teach a student who struggles every
be showcased in an even larger arena.”
day to get out of bed and come to school,” Plue
Whitley said she was surprised by
said. “She teaches all those students equally
the announcement. “There’s always that
well. I’m very proud to have her on the staff.”
competitive edge that makes you want to
UCPS Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellis
win, but I never thought it would be a reality.
congratulated Whitley. “You embody the very
You always want to do the best you can when
best that we have to offer, not just in Union
you’re representing the school. You want to
County and North Carolina, but in the United
Whitley is pictured with her principal Dr.
win, but when it happens it seems so surreal.
States. For someone to dedicate their life to
Kevin Plue and Superintendent Dr. Mary
This is very exciting.”
children, there doesn’t get any higher calling
Ellis.
It came as no surprise, however, to
than that.”
her fellow educators, who described her
Regional Education Facilitator Dr. Karol
as a rigorous instructor who runs an engaging classroom, treats
McNeil-Horton said now Whitley will compete against the state’s other
her students as if they were her own and uses her experiences to
regional winners. “The announcement will be made in April. If she
empower her students and prepare them for life.
wins that, she will become the state teacher of the year, and move on
Whitley’s students describe her as always happy, a teacher who
to compete nationally.”
--This article was written by Deb Coates Bledsoe and provided courtesy
will work past the regular school day in order to help a student, a
of the Communications Office of the Union County