Teachers honored
CARLA GWALTNEY OWENS Sentinel Writer

Photo by Carla Owens Kristy Thurmond is the HES Teacher of the Year!

Teachers of The Year for Clay County Schools have been announced. Tina Barrett, Kristy Thurmond, and Buck Carney have all been selected by their peers to receive the distinguished honor of being called "Teacher of The Year."

Ms. Barrett was selected by fellow teachers at Hayesville Middle School where she has taught 7th grade science for the past several years.

Mr. Carney was selected by Hayesville High School faculty members as Hayesville High School Teacher of the Year. Mr. Carney has served as Science teacher at HHS for the past 19 years and has also served as track and cross country coach.

Hayesville Elementary Teacher of the Year honors went to Ms. Thurmond, who is beginning her fourth year as a 2nd grade teacher at HES.

Clay County Schools recently announced that Ms. Barrett has been selected as "Clay County Teacher of the Year." Barrett will now go onto represent Clay County Schools in the regional Teacher of the Year competition.

HMS Teacher of the Year and Clay County Teacher of the Year

Tina Barrett graduated from HHS in 1989 and went on to receive her undergraduate degree in science from UNC at Greensboro. Barrett served as a chemist for a pharmaceutical company in Highpoint, N.C. for 10 years before returning to Hayesville with her husband, Tim, to raise their two sons. After serving as a teacher's assistant, Barrett was hired to filla vacancy in the science department at HMS. She then went on to receive her teaching degree from Western Carolina University.

Barrett shared that she loves teaching science to her students and that her favorite part is the excitement on the students faces as she watches them learn and grow.

Although she admits it is a challenge keeping middle school students focused on the fact that they are at school to learn and not to pursue a social life, she said it is wonderful to see them grow in their knowledge of science.

One of her fondest memories each year, she said, is watching the students dissect frogs. "It is so hilarious," she commented. "It's so much fun just watching them do something they thought they couldn't do and enjoy it."

Of science, Barrett said she loves to teach it not only because of her personal love of science, but the fact that her students really are interested in science. "They are learning about the world around them how it works and they are really interested in it. These 7th grade students really have a desire to learn more about science."

Barrett said her favorite part of her science classes are the hands-on experiments that she has the students perform. "It makes what we are learning real and applicable to their lives," she stated.

When asked why she thinks her peers voted her Teacher of the Year, Barrett modestly said, "Well I think it is because they see an excitement and energy in my teaching and that is probably partly due to the fact that I'm a new teacher. But I hope when I have been teaching for 20 years I haven't lost that excitement or lost touch with the kids I don't want to loose that I want to stay in touch with my students."

Advice for parents from Teacher of The Year: "Stay in touch with what's going on in their lives and be an active part of their lives." Barrett also added that one of the best ways parents can help their children and the teachers is to keep the lines of communication open. "Keep us informed of what's going on in their lives."

HES Teacher of the Year Kristy Thurmond

Kristy Thurmond graduated from Western Carolina University in 1994 with a degree in child and family studies and following the birth of her third child went back to WCU and received a second degree in Elementary Education.

Thurmond, who has been teaching 2nd grade at HES for the past three years, said she loves teaching. Thurmond called teaching a "great job" for a mother of three young children who are 8, 7, and 6 years of age. "It's wonderful for me we all have the same schedule and I am able to be with my kids during the holidays and summers."

Of teaching second grade, Thurmond said she loves this age group because they are so forgiving and loving, and they are still young enough to want to give hugs, but at the same time are able to carry on a good conversation. "They are fun and energetic at this age," she commented.

Her favorite part of teaching, she said, is when she sees the light bulb come on in her students heads. "It's like you see the light bulb go on and they are like "Wow! I get it." That's the best part, when you know they are getting it. And the excitement they have that they have learned something. And then I know all those hours of planning and work are paying off."

Thurmond added that it is a challenge teaching young children due to the demands of trying to meet all their individual needs. "It's hard to finda way to balance it so you can meet all of their different needs." She added that each child is different and they are not all at the same level of learning, so it is a challenge to make sure every child is taken care of.

Thurmond shared her thoughts on what parents can do make sure their child is successful in school. "The most successful students are those who have parents that are involved in their lives. Be as involved with your child's education as the teacher will let you," she commented. "Communication is very important talk with your child's teacher."

To her students, Thurmond said her best piece of advice would be, "Listen! And at least try things. Don't have the "I can't" attitude."

Why was she chosen Teacher of The Year? "I don't know!" she laughed. However, veteran teacher Ms. Jackie Bell was quick to come up with an answer: "She makes her students want to come to school. She does neat things with her kids she makes learning fun."

Thurmond was quick to point out that she had a good example to follow, as Ms. Bell was her 6th grade teacher.

Thurmond said her theory is that she and her students might as well have a good time while they are at school. "I have to be here and they have to be here, so why not enjoy it and make it fun."

Hayesville High School Teacher of the Year Mr. Buck Carney

Mr. Buck Carney is a veteran science teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience; the last 19 years have been spent pouring knowledge into the students at Hayesville High School. Carney's students are quick to share that the most important knowledge they have gained from Mr. Carney is not about science, but about life and how to be successful individuals.

Sophomore Jacob Nicholson said of his freshman Earth Science class taught by Carney, that he learned more than just useful information about the atmosphere. Nicholson explained that Mr. Carney made sure his students applied the lessons they learned about the earth to everyday life. One example Nicholson shared was how Carney taught them Murphy's Law and that they should always be prepared for something bad to happen. And if they are prepared and aware that something unexpected might occur, then they can have a plan to beat an adverse circumstance.

"Mr. Carney put as much emphasis on how we should live our lives as he did on science lessons he related what ever he was teaching to our everyday lives he made sure he taught us life lessons," Nicholson commented. "But the main thing I remember is just the atmosphere in his class, he wanted to teach us more than just science. His class really helped prepare me for high school."

As a Cross Country Coach, Nicholson said Mr. Carney taught him how to have confidencein himself. "He has taught me to always be determined."

Fellow Sophomore student and cross country teammate, Tommy Kelly, echoed Nicholson's thoughts on Carney's goal as a teacher and a coach. "He is more worried about how we do in life, that we become good people, than he is about us learning Earth Science," Kelly commented. "He teaches you that life isn't always fair, but that you should be prepared and always do your best bad things might happen but you have to be determined."

Kelly added that Mr. Carney is a help and a guide to his students, not simply a teacher. And that he works to instill in his students a personal desire to achieve. "He would always help us, but he wouldn't make us do it, he wanted us to do things for ourselves to have a desire to do what is right" he added.

Daniel Mull, also a sophomore who had Carney his freshman year, said he is definitely one of those teacher a student never forgets. "Mr. Carney just has a good presence about him and he has a good sense of humor," Mull commented. "He never let us complain about stuff. He told us to quit complaining (about what we needed to do) and just get it done."

"His sense of humor made the class fun and he presented the information in a way so it was never boring." Mull explained that Carney has an ability to take the most common sense lessons and put them into a new light so that you gain a greater understand and are able to put them into practice in your life. Once again, Mull agreed with fellow students, and said that Carney is simply great at teaching his students important life lessons.

For the past six years Ginger Buchanan has spent time with Carney as he has coached her in cross country. Buchanan said of Carney, "He is a father figure to me, and to the entire team. He is an inspiration to us all."

Buchanan said that as she and her teammates have watched Mr. Carney battle cancer they have been inspired by his determination and don't quit attitude. "When I have been running seven miles in 105 degree heat I've been doing it for him. When you're out there you're out there for him."

During his battle with cancer, Buchanan said that the cross country team and Carney have formed a family, and that they know during his battle his thoughts have continually been on the team and the school. "Everyday we are busting our butts for him," she added.

Of the advice he has given her that she puts into practice "Never give up!"

"If you want to make it you can. You can overcome any obstacle," she shared Carney's outlook on life. "He has never lost that look on his face his happiness and his sense of humor. He has taught us all that no matter what you are going through you can make it!"

After listening to the high praises of his students, it is no wonder HHS Principal Gail Criss and HHS Guidance Counselor Karen Nicholson had such outstanding thoughts about Mr. Carney. "Every school needs a Mr. Carney," Dr. Criss commented of him. While Nicholson called Carney a pillar for the faculty and for the students at HHS. "Because of Mr. Carney we have been able to keep some kids in school that would otherwise not have made it," Nicholson commented. "He helps these kids to see that they can do it."

Of Mr. Carney, Dr. Criss said: "Buck Carney is an amazing teacher and coach. In the classroom, he combines a great knowledge of science and an understanding of how students learn with a sense of humor and a genuinely caring attitude."

"He is the "go to" teacher--the one that students go to when they need someone to listen. He is honest with kids; he listens with empathy, will tell them when they mess up, and always makes sure that they know they have someone in their corner."

Carney is currently on medical leave, but remains involved in the lives of his students through his care and concern for them, and he is a continuing support to the cross country team.

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