"Lawhon Teacher of the Year" Joanie Word

Date:December 20, 2007

Teacher of the Year is a distinction granted to a teacher nominated and voted on by fellow teachers. A veteran first grade teacher,  Joanie Word truly deserves recognition as Teacher of the Year. In speaking to peers and future teachers, Mrs. Word  reminds them  that "true compassion toward our students is the most important part of our job. Each student must be treated with dignity and respect. Students must feel secure in the classroom. Each student must be viewed as an individual with varying needs; we must identify those needs and then do everything possible to meet those needs."

Mrs. Word also recognizes that students should be taught a love for reading along with the mechanics of reading. Her reward for teaching comes from having hundreds of students recognizing her and telling her how they learned the love of reading from being in her class. Thank you, Mrs. Word, for playing such an important role at Lawhon.

Mrs. Word is surrounded by family and Lawhon
Principal Christy Carroll.