The Civitan Club of Salisbury held its annual Teacher Appreciation Day May 7 at the Country Club of Salisbury.
Seven selected schools were represented by their principal and teacher of the year.
Isenberg Elementary: Nathan Currie and Mark Simpson.
Henderson Independent High: Ken Sherrill and Laura Aberg.
Erwin Middle: Ray Whitaker and Kathryn Baker.
Overton Elementary: Betty Tunks and Laura Zimmerman-Clark.
China Grove Elementary: Jenny Kennerly and Traci Honeycutt.
China Grove Middle: James Davis and Brittany Barnhardt.
Cleveland Elementary: Becky Kepley-Lee and Joy Jenkins. Jenkins was recently named 2009 Rowan-Salisbury Teacher of the Year.
2008 Teacher of the Year April Williamson of China Grove Elementary also attended.
Others attending included Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Dr. Rebecca S. Smith; Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Delores Morris; Assistant Superintendent for Administration Dr. Walter Hart; Assistant Superintendent for Operations Gene Miller.
Program coordinator Dr. Norman Sloop introduced Superintendent Dr. Judy Grissom who introduced the guests and thanked fellow club member and Rowan-Salisbury Schools Executive Assistant Bonnie Holder for her help in organizing the event and her continued service. Dennis Rodgers presented donations to each of the Teachers of the Year.
Guest speaker Dr. Craig Turner, 21st president of Catawba College, spoke on “How Important Are Teachers in Our Society?” He said low wages, poor working conditions, ever-increasing responsibilities, mounting paperwork and blame for failure were testaments to how little regard we as a nation give to our teaching profession.
“Despite every level of government proclaiming education as a priority,” Turner said. “public instruction budget cuts, declining funds and wage freezes are all around us.” He asked those attending to encourage real respect for the teaching profession and to advocate better pay and working conditions.
Turner emphasized the multiple levels of educators needed at all stages of life, from the 20 years of education needed for a surgeon, 16 for an attorney and 15 for a counselor. He thanked the Salisbury Civitan Club for its 50-year tradition of honoring teachers and congratulated the Rowan-Salisbury teachers on their dedication and their place in “the most noble of all professions.”