Special-ed teacher Champion of the Month
The very nature of Susie Brott’s job puts her at a disadvantage in Numerica Credit Union’s School Champion of the Month award.
Brott is a special-education teacher at Fernan Elementary, and not many of her students are capable of writing the short essay the award application requires.
Terri Nethercott realized this. That’s why she nominated Brott on behalf of her daughter, Morgan Nethercott, a fifth-grade student of Brott’s.
Brott was honored Nov. 30 during a surprise, all-school assembly at Fernan.
“It was very unexpected and very exciting,” Brott said.
The award presenters begin each assembly by dropping hints about the winner. But the hints dropped this time “weren’t exactly accurate,” Brott said, so she didn’t realize she was the winner until one of the very last clues.
“It was hysterical,” Brott said.
Nethercott said in her essay that Brott’s effect on Morgan has been wonderful.
“Susie puts her absolute heart and soul into teaching special-needs students,” she wrote. “My daughter Morgan has improved in so many areas – reading, computer, communications and swimming among others.”
Brott has been at Fernan since 1999. She has taught special education since 1987, according to a news release from Numerica, working in Missoula and in the Kellogg School District.
“Susie loves these kids as if they were her own, and she gives them so much more credit than even we as parents do sometimes,” Nethercott’s essay continued.
Morgan received $25 for the winning essay, along with two passes to Silverwood Theme Park. She’ll also be entered into a drawing for a free iPod. Brott received a $45 gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse, a gift bag, a recognition plaque, and two passes to Silverwood Theme Park. Fernan’s special-education program will receive $100, to be used how Brott sees fit.
The School Champion of the Month is chosen every month through May. Students can nominate their favorite employee from any North Idaho school. Nominations consist of a written essay explaining why the employee deserves recognition. Forms are available at any school office or online at www.numericacu.com.
State award winners
Two freshmen at Lake City High School placed second and third in a statewide essay contest sponsored by the Idaho Sheriffs Association.
Sarah Watkins and Jacob Rogers were eighth-graders when they wrote essays about why they choose to stay drug free. They received cash prizes last week from Kootenai County Sheriff Rocky Watson.
Rogers’ essay got second place in the state competition, earning him $100, and Watkins got third, giving her $50.
The essay contest, open to eighth-graders, is conducted annually by the Idaho Sheriffs Association and middle schools throughout Idaho.
Timberlake yearbook honored
Timberlake High School’s yearbook for the 2005-06 school year, Tiger Tales, earned a “First Place” award from the American Scholastic Press Association.
Points were given in the areas of content presentation, general page design, general photography, publication structure and creativity. The Timberlake yearbook got 930 points out of a possible 1,000, according to adviser Katie Suenkel, including a perfect score for page design. The yearbook also won a bronze medal in the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Yearbook Contest.
Last year’s staff included co-editors Kerry Costigan-Galdes and Darcee Smith; Business Manager Alisha Puckett; Photography Editor Lexy Martindale and staff members Amy Yoshida, Felicia Ybarra, Olivia Raper, Matt Parent, Bridget Overland, Lydia Herring, Samantha Garcia, Adrianne Erny, Jenny Durrin, Nichole Corn, Jeneva Clapper, Krystine Boggs and Nick Berger.
“The leftover kids are proud,” Suenkel wrote in an e-mail. This is her fifth year as yearbook adviser.