By Peggy Laizure
Stacy Shaneyfelt, born the daughter of a coal miner in Morgantown, W.Va., knows how education can transform a life. She has taught in many places throughout the world.
"After working as a high school English teacher in Pittsburgh, I then moved to Japan as a high school English and drama teacher for the U.S. Department of Defense schools," Shaneyfelt said. "This five-year experience reinforced the value of connecting students' cultures and lives through learning."
Her marriage to an AWACS pilot led her to Oklahoma, where she worked in Norman for five years as a middle school English teacher.
She is in her second year as an English and drama teacher, department head and drama coach at Moore West Junior High School.
"My teaching exemplifies how 'All the World's a Stage' through literacy and real world connections," she said.
Traci Kiosterud is a master teacher who understands and applies exceptionally effective teaching skills, say her co-workers at Broadmore Elementary School. She is able to blend academic skill lessons with the important life skill lessons from the 'Great Expectations' model for teaching.
Kiosterud teaches with a consistent effort to help students treat others respectfully, applaud each other's efforts and work together. Her expert use of general education practices such as positive verbal interaction and instruction in multiple learning modalities help Kiosterud manage a discipline free environment where her students thrive.
Students often sing songs to remind them of positive behaviors that are expected. They can be seen in the classroom giving each other high fives, brain kisses and pats on the back as a part of their constant encouragement of each other. There is often a student teacher in Kiosterud's class as she is perfect mentor for potential new teachers.
Casey Taylor teaches eighth grade science and seventh grade math at Brink Junior High School. She also has taught ninth grade physical science and seventh grade science.
This is her fourth year of teaching and all four years have been at Brink. But she has been at Brink more than four years. She has lived in Moore her entire life, attended Brink and was graduated from Westmoore in 1999.
Taylor modestly accepted the Site Teacher of the Year.
"I feel that there are so many other individuals in the system that deserve this honor more than me," she said.
The District Teacher of the Year will be announced March 30.
