Walsh University Teacher of the Month: Barbara Phelps-Hutson, Plain Local Schools
NAME – Barbara Phelps-Hutson
SCHOOL – Oakwood Middle School in the Plain Local School District
RESIDENCE – Canton
HIGH SCHOOL ALMA MATER – Toll Gate High School in Warwick, Rhode Island
COLLEGE – The University of Rhode Island for undergraduate; University of Wyoming for master's degree
FAMILY – Husband, stepchildren and a grandchild
WHAT SUBJECTS DO YOU TEACH? – Strings from ages 5-78
Meet February's Teacher of the Month:Gwen Yohe, Canton City Schools
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? – Teaching, adapting to needs and teaching again until I find the puzzle pieces that make it fit for the students.
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB? – Protecting the learner from emotional harm. Teaching the student that learning is messy and we should allow for that. Each student must be nice to themselves as they learn.
WHAT SECRET TO SUCCESS WOULD YOU SHARE WITH STUDENTS? – Laugh through your mistakes. When tears happen, allow them. A glass of water and a walk heal many emotional moments.
IS TEACHING KIDS THE SAME TODAY AS WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED? – Heck no. The only thing in life that remains the same is its inconsistency. Adapt or let the world pass you by.
YOUR STUDENTS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT YOU … – Rode horses regularly as a kid and was focusing on hunter/jumper division, as well as English riding. I was also a dancer until the back injury.
Other nominations
Alliance
Alexis Stallman, MD classroom at Alliance Elementary School – Alexis from Day One has been a positive role model for her students and has established herself extremely well in just her first year. Her students benefit from having a teacher who is caring, kind and has high expectations for her students!
Amy Kohmann, math intervention specialist at Alliance High School – Amy has a true passion for working with our students at AHS. She is always so positive and brings great ideas to share with her team.
Canton City
Natalie Chappie, kindergarten at Cedar School – Natalie is an amazing kindergarten teacher who has seamlessly integrated LETRS strategies into her daily instruction, creating a classroom of engaged learners. Natalie's love and dedication to her craft are evident in her student data and the pure joy on her students' faces.
Bo Rounds, eighth grade science, Early College Middle School at Lehman – Mr. Rounds works to ensure that all of his students have an opportunity to succeed and often spends his lunch helping them with lessons. He also plans engaging and enriching lessons that are hands-on and make science fun and relevant to students.
Canton Local
Christian Simmons, English – Mr. Simmons teaches English III, works with digital platform students and coaches high school basketball. His ability to communicate and connect with his students and build relationships is key to the growth of his class, both academically and personally.
Jackson Local
Bethany Grubb, kindergarten – Mrs. Grubb works diligently to build a culture of respect and caring with her students and their families. She is innovative in her thinking and consistently seeks out new ideas to assist in engaging her learners. She views each child as a unique individual and guides them to reach their full potential.
Lake Center Christian
Janet Eddins, Elementary General Music – Janet is a seasoned teacher who is passionate about instilling a love of music in the students that she teaches. Janet showcases student learning and growth through concerts and performances that are well thought out and prepared.
Alicia Starcher, Secondary Choral Music – Mrs. Starcher encourages, cajoles and challenges our students to excellence in vocal music. Each year, her students do well in vocal competitions. She spends the extra time to organize a trip to a large vocal festival at Olivet Nazarene University near Chicago. Her compassion for relationships with our students reflects God's compassion for all of us.
Lake Local
Nicole Cooney, Honors English 2, English 2 – Now in her second year at Lake Middle/High School, Nicole Cooney has established herself as a teacher who is welcoming, creative, engaging, and enthusiastic as she works with a wide diversity of learners each day. Students who enter Miss Cooney’s English classes actually appear as if they are looking forward to spending time with a teacher who is passionate about her subject matter and persistent when pushing her students to achieve. Nicole has taken on additional duties this year working to resurrect our speech and debate program, experiencing almost immediate success as we are sending three students to the state championship! There is no question that our students are benefiting from a teacher who takes great pride in what she does, and a true professional who is even prouder of the students who cross her path each day.
Beth McAlonan, third grade – Mrs. McAlonan inspires her third grade students through many exploratory learning opportunities. She is a teacher who is always willing to mentor and guide new staff members. She is always looking for new ways to approach what she is teaching and willing to learn from her colleagues. One could say that learning comes alive in Mrs. McAlonan's classroom with all of the interactive science lessons she teaches her students. Lake Elementary is blessed to have her as a teacher and mentor.
Louisville City
Sarah McVaney, middle/high school vocal music and music appreciation – Mrs. Sarah McVaney serves as the vocal music director for Louisville middle and high schools. Mrs. McVaney has set high expectations for all of the students in the program. She integrates many experiences into the vocal music program to develop lifelong performers. A few examples are all of her middle school students are part of the annual spring musical production, the high school choirs that traveled to Marietta College to perform and receive feedback, professional musicians are brought in to work with groups and she gets her high school students out into the community performing at every opportunity possible. Louisville schools is lucky to have Mrs. McVaney working with our kids!
Marlington Local
Jennifer Lauter, fourth grade ELA and social studies – Mrs. Lauter is an exemplary teacher and a tremendous asset to our team at Marlboro Elementary. She is passionate about her students and creating innovative and fun strategies, lessons and projects to help her students learn and feel successful in their classroom.
Monica Street, sixth grade math – Mrs. Street is an extremely caring and hardworking middle school math teacher. She serves on the district and building leadership teams and is also the academic challenge coach and student council leader. Mrs. Street is constantly adapting and challenging her own teaching. We are lucky to have her at MMS!
Massillon City
Angela Bumgardner, music at Whittier Elementary – Angela works hard to make every day fun and enjoyable for all of her students. She is very creative and comes up with new and exciting music programs each year. Angela is a very loving and caring person and the students always enjoy seeing her. Congratulations, Angela!
Deanna Mazur, English at Washington High School – Deanna creates sustainable, positive, and encouraging relationships with the students that she sees on a regular basis, both in the classroom and out of the classroom as a cheerleading coach. We are thankful for her leadership within the school building, as well as within her English department. She has been a positive impact in the lives of her students, does everything in her power to ensure understanding of academic material in her classroom and makes the learning environment enjoyable for her students. Congratulations, Deanna!
Minerva Local
Zach Gazdacko, sixth grade math at Minerva Middle School – Mr. Gazdacko places a strong emphasis on creating a positive classroom environment. He encourages his students to work together and supports their growth not only as students but as individuals. He fosters a sense of community in his classroom, where students feel comfortable asking questions and participating in discussions. Mr. Gazdacko is a dedicated and inspiring educator who deserves recognition for his exceptional work. His passion for teaching, commitment to his students and ability to create a positive and engaging learning environment is a blessing to our school and community.
North Canton City
Diane Tornero, second grade – Mrs. Tornero is fully committed to her students and her classroom. Mrs. Tornero spends countless hours preparing detailed lessons and doing whatever is necessary for her students to feel and be successful. She cares about her students, and it is evident by her commitment and the nurturing environment in her classroom.
Tim Hulse, math – Mr. Hulse has a calm demeanor and way of connecting with students beyond the textbook. He is able to target specific needs and provide the appropriate support to catapult his students' knowledge within his math class. Mr. Hulse has been a leader with our after-school programming the past two years that has provided an extension beyond the classroom to create a welcoming environment for learning.
Perry Local
Karen Wafler, second grade – Miss Wafler is an outstanding teacher who develops deep relationships with students, makes learning fun, expects the best from students every day and inspires dreams.
Plain Local
Amanda Wightman, physical education – Miss Wightman has done a tremendous job of instilling a love for positive physical health for the students at Warstler. She brings an infectious positive energy to her classes and to the building culture. Her differentiated instruction meets the needs of all of her students, whether being supported or needing a challenge. Miss Wightman, you are our Eagle Champion!
Barb Phelps-Hutson, strings – Mrs. Phelps-Huston is a leader in our performing arts department teaching strings for grades 5-8. She is kind and compassionate and goes above and beyond for her students. Mrs. Phelps-Huston does a phenomenal job of believing in students and focusing on the whole child. She works hard to build positive, trustful relationships. She is always there to help any student in need and always sees the best in them.
Osnaburg Local
Felisa Fritz, second grade – This is Mrs. Fritz’s third year teaching at East Canton Elementary, and she is currently serving in second grade. Felisa works hard to create a family culture in her classroom, where all students are valued and learn without fear of mistakes. Mrs. Fritz builds a positive climate by giving the students ownership over their learning and fostering a shared responsibility for a classroom conducive for maximum learning. Thank you, Mrs. Fritz, for sharing your talents and passion for teaching here at East Canton Elementary School!
Laura Butera, intervention specialist – Laura Butera goes above and beyond for students at East Canton High School. Laura is an intervention specialist at East Canton High School. This is her first year at ECHS, and she has impressed others with her ability to connect with students. Creating these connections has provided her with the tools to make an immediate impact in students' lives. Laura has built connections with families that will last through the students' high school years. Thank you, Laura, for all that you do every day for students at East Canton High School.
Perry Local
Karen Wafler, second grade – Miss Wafler is an outstanding teacher who develops deep relationships with students, makes learning fun, expects the best from students every day and inspires dreams.
Plain Local
Amanda Wightman, physical education – Miss Wightman has done a tremendous job of instilling a love for positive physical health for the students at Warstler. She brings an infectious positive energy to her classes and to the building culture. Her differentiated instruction meets the needs of all of her students, whether being supported or needing a challenge. Miss Wightman, you are our Eagle Champion!
Sandy Valley
Jay Airhart, eighth-grade Social Studies – Mr. Jay Airhart is very involved in making Sandy Valley a great place to learn and succeed both in and out of the classroom! He is motivating and connects to his students with his love of history and all things Marvel. He is always planning new experiences and exciting classroom activities to encourage learning, and he works closely with his colleagues to create new initiatives to help students soar!
St. Thomas Aquinas
Lori Burse, band at the middle school – Lori is connected to her students and finds innovative ways to keep them engaged and actively learning music and composition. She does restorative circles with her students, and builds relationships, rapport and trust. STA proudly offers band class to all middle schoolers!
Sue Ann Ray, math, high school – Sue Ann Ray is the high school math teacher and a College Credit Plus instructor for the Knights, preparing them for college and beyond! She has the ability to break down complex concepts into simple and relatable terms. This has helped her students achieve academic success. Sue Ann's dedication to her students' education and personal growth is a true testament to her teaching skills!
Stark County Catholic Elementary Schools
Ryley Snyder, third grade, Regina Coeli Catholic School – Miss Snyder came to Regina Coeli in 2021. She has been a bright addition to our school! Miss Snyder loves decorating her room in bright, fun colors for the students! Miss Snyder has a very good connection with her students. The students love her! She uses fun activities to keep her students engaged in learning. Miss Snyder is a team player with her co-workers. She is always willing to help out where she can. Miss Snyder has good knowledge of new programs being brought to our school. Miss Snyder is a natural at teaching and a very wonderful person!
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Barbara Phelps-Hutson of Plain Local is March's Teacher of the Month
