'My heart is in the classroom': Denton Elementary educator named 2022 Teacher of the Year
The Davidson County Schools has named a second grade teacher from Denton Elementary School as its 2022 Teacher of the Year
Whitney Cox was named the 2022 District Teacher of the Year during a ceremony at the Edward C. Smith Civic Center on May 31. Because the district did not hold the celebration last year, the 2021 teachers and principal of the year were also recognized.
“It was a huge accomplishment and honor to represent our school,” said Cox.
Want to know more about what is happening in Davidson County? Support local journalism, subscribe to The Dispatch.
Cox is a native of Davidson County in her 14th year as a teacher. She graduated from East Davidson High School and received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is also a National Certified Teacher, which is an advanced standard for educators.
She taught second grade at Denton Elementary for the past three years, and previously taught at Southwood and Fairgrove Elementary schools.
Cox said she has known since graduating from high school that she wanted to be a teacher.
“My heart is in the classroom; I was born to be a teacher. It comes with many rewards and challenges, I just love teaching children," said Cox.
Cox said there are many important factors in becoming an effective teacher, it's not just about the curriculum.
“I want to make my classroom a fun, safe learning environment. It’s not just about the academics, it is also about meeting the social and emotional well-being of our students. You have to meet the needs of the kids before you can teach them... We want them to want to be at school,” said Cox.
More: Top of the class: Lakeisha Wilson named Lexington Schools Teacher of the Year
Beside her role as a classroom teacher, Cox also serves as a grade-level leader for other educators.
“Teaching is something that you don’t do alone,” said Cox. “You have to be able to plan with each other and support each other. We had a second-year teacher on our grade level this year and I am glad I was able to help her make a positive impact this year.”
Dr. Kelsey Greer, principal at Denton Elementary School, said Cox is an incredible teacher with a natural ability to engage with students and who makes a difference for the school community.
“I love visiting her classroom because you can just feel the love, the excitement, and the passion for teaching and learning as soon as you walk in the door from both her and from her students,” said Greer. “They love being in her room because they know she cares about them as a person first, learner second...Simply put, she is a rock star.”
More: Thomasville City Schools superintendent announces retirement in September
Cox is married to husband Brad and has three children. She said she must credit her parents for instilling her work ethic and compassion which leads to her being an effective teacher.
“My parents played a huge role in who I am. They are the foundation of my success, they taught me a lot. My Dad always said to expect the unexpected and that couldn’t be truer in education,” said Cox.
Cox said she was surprised when she received the Davidson County Schools Teacher of the Year award. She said she is appreciative of being recognized in a group of outstanding nominees.
“I think of what I do is just something I do every day,” said Cox. “To be recognized by the school district is truly an honor. I personally know some of the other teachers (nominated) and they are amazing educators. I was truly amazed to be chosen.”
Also during the meeting, the Davidson County School system recognized the principal of the year and the beginning teacher of the year.
Tammy Bush of Central Davidson Middle School was named the 2022 District Principal of the Year. Sierra Waldroup at Southwood Elementary School was named the 2022 District Beginning Teacher of the Year.
Other teachers who were nominated by their individual schools were:
Christie Hinson-Nye Gower, Brier Creek Elementary
Chad Killebrew, Central Davidson High School
Zackery Ivey, Central Davidson Middle School
Jenny Blume, Churchland Elementary School
Candace Varner, Davidson County High School
Tina Heitman, Davis-Townsend Elementary School
Christopher Sprayberry, Davidson County Schools K-12 Virtual Academy
Kevin Ward, E. Lawson Brown Middle School
Ken Wheeler, East Davidson High School
Christen Eads, Fair Grove Elementary School
Bobbie Toler, Friedberg Elementary
Pam Oast, Friendship Elementary Schools
Desiree Ferguson, Hasty Elementary School
Brian Thomas, Ledford High School
Wendy Mitchell, Ledford Middle School
Lupton, Midway Elementary School
Amy Mercer, North Davidson High School
Holly Mosher, North Davidson Middle School
Candy Pierce, Northwest Elementary School
Kim Pendry, Oak Grove High School
Christina Ina, Oak Grove Middle School
Angela Cranford, Pilot Elementary School
Katelyn Tulledge, Reeds Elementary School
Tammy Shelton, Silver Valley Elementary School
Jenna Shaw, South Davidson High School
Jordan Morris, South Davidson Middle School
Alisha Jones, Southmont Elementary School
Stacy Bowden , Southwood Elementary School
Jeannette McNamara, Stoner-Thomas School
Summer Taylor, Tyro Elementary School
Teenia Harmon, Tyro Middle School
Casey Dyles, Wallburg Elementary School
Abbie Watson, Welcome Elementary School
Brittany Smith, West Davidson High School
Rebecca Kaserman, Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy
General news reporter Sharon Myers can be reached at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter @LexDispatchSM.
This article originally appeared on The Dispatch: Denton Elementary teacher named Davidson County Schools top educator
