Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools May/June 2017 | Page 13

Continued...2017-18 UCPS Teacher of the Year down to 10 finalists
Weddington Elementary – Justin Hoffman began
teaching K-5 physical education in 2014 at
Weddington Elementary. He is also the soccer
coach. He says with the help from a quality
teacher, students can learn how to be strong,
brave, independent, work with others, take
chances, experience new things and never
give up. An outstanding teacher will help each
student grow individually to his or her abilities
and strengths.
Western Union – Amanda Stinchcomb began
teaching in 2007 in Philadelphia as a second-
grade teacher. She came to Union County in
2010 and took a teaching position at Wingate
Elementary as a fourth-grade teacher, then
became a fifth-grade teacher at Wester n Union
in 2015. She feels some of the major issues
facing education today include the disconnect
between legislators and school-based employees,
high teacher turnover, and the disparities
that exist between the outcomes in schools
serving students from various social-economic
backgrounds.
The Review Process
A five-person district committee individually reviewed and scored
portfolios from the 53 school-level teachers of the year, choosing
the top 20 candidates as semi-finalists. A different committee then
performed individual interviews of those 20 semi-finalists, further
narrowing the search to 10 finalists.
The teacher with the highest combined score from the portfolio,
interview and classroom observation is then named as the 2017-
18 Union County Public Schools Teacher of the Year at the annual
banquet to be held on April 20.
—This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools
Communications Office.
2017-18 UCPS teacher of the year Amanda Stinchcomb ‘epitome of great teacher’
This year’s Union County
Public Schools teacher of the
year is known for her passion
for teaching, her love of her
students and considered by her
colleagues to be the embodiment
of a great teacher.
Western Union Elementary
teacher Amanda Stinchcomb
was chosen as the 2017-18
UCPS Teacher of the Year during
Thursday’s (April 20, 2017)
annual banquet.
She said she never expected
to win. “The talent pool in UCPS
is very deep. There are so many
educators in this system who
are wonderful. It’s such an
honor and a delightful surprise.
Top: UCPS Superintendent Dr.
It’s very humbling. My students Andrew Houlihan announces that
are going to be really excited.
Western Union Elementary teacher
They’ve been asking questions
Amanda Stinchcomb is the 2017-18
all along the journey.”
UCPS Teacher of the Year.
Stinchcomb said she looks
forward to representing UCPS in Right: Western Union Elementary
the coming year.
teacher Amanda Stinchcomb is all
“I hope to be a positive
smiles as she sits in her new 2017
impact in this role,” she said. “I KIA, courtesy of Union County KIA.
care so much about this work.
It’s going to be a privilege and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Her principal Kristi Williford said Stinchcomb is the epitome of a
great teacher.
“She cares about the kids,” Williford said. “She is so passionate.
You can see it on her face when she’s teaching. She knows exactly
what to do and when to do it. She is so amazing. She also works
very well with her colleges and shares her experiences and her
expertise with them. It’s great that we have this opportunity
to have such a wonderful teacher like Amanda.”
Stinchcomb began teaching in 2007 in Philadelphia as a
second-grade teacher. She came to Union County in 2010
and took a teaching position at Wingate Elementary as a
fourth-grade teacher. She became a fifth-grade teacher
in 2015 when she began teaching at Western Union
Elementary.
UCPS Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan congratulated
Stinchcomb and all the school-level teachers of the year.
“This great school system and the successes we’ve had
here are a direct result of your hard work, your dedication
and your commitment to our children,” he said. “On behalf
of our team and our school board
I want to thank you for all that
you do.”
During the banquet, the UCPS
2016-17 Teacher of the Year Jodi
Autry, a teacher at Unionville
Elementary, talked about her
year, calling it a life-changing
experience.
For winning the countywide
Teacher of the Year title,
Stinchcomb received $500.
The Union County Education
Foundation also awarded her
$1,000 for her personal use.
In addition, she will receive a one-year lease of a 2017 car,
courtesy of Union County KIA, a Keffer Automotive Company.
Pierce Group Benefits and Union County KIA, a Keffer Automotive
Company, sponsored the 2017-18 Teacher of the Year Banquet, held
at Rolling Hills Country Club.
—This article was provided by the Union County Public Schools
Communications Office.
Parent Teacher Magazine • May/June 2017 • 11