These teachers are tops: 19 honored by Delta Kamma Gamma chapter

POULSBO — Nineteen Kitsap teachers and paraprofessional instructors were recognized as 2017 Outstanding Educators at an awards ceremony and reception on March 21 in the Poulsbo City Hall Council Chambers.

The awards were given by the Alpha Sigma Chapter, Kitsap, of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators.

More than 85 friends, family members and colleagues attended the presentation.

Oliver Jones, elder of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, welcomed and honored the recipients by drumming and singing an honor song.

Following a brief address by Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson, the 2017 recipients were individually called to the front of the chambers while his or her accomplishments were read aloud. Each recipient was presented a certificate of recognition, a copy of the summary read, and a rose.

This is the seventh year the Alpha Sigma Chapter has presented the awards. Honorees were nominated by administrators, fellow teachers, parents, and students and selected based on their records of exemplary teaching, student success in the classroom and leadership in education.

Among those honored this year, by school district:

Bainbridge School District

Betsy Carlson, teacher of eighth-grade history at Woodward Middle School on Bainbridge Island.

Barb Vandeleur, teacher of seventh-grade history and language arts at Woodward Middle School on Bainbridge Island.

Bremerton School District

Nathanial Zawlocki, collision repair teacher at West Sound Technical Skills Center; he and his class recently restored two Vietnam War military vehicles.

Central Kitsap School District

Linda Brazeau, fifth-grade teacher at Cottonwood Elementary School; she oversees the annual Math Olympiad Competition.

Michael Woods, Central Kitsap High School, who teaches strings and band and is director of the Bremerton Youth Orchestra.

North Kitsap School District

Mackenzie Allpress, third- and fourth-grade teacher at Gordon Elementary School.

Judy Bowman, third-grade teacher at Wolfle Elementary School.

Catherine Campbell, AP and honors English teacher at North Kitsap High School, as well as programs at Poulsbo Middle School (LAP and Agate).

Drew Crandall, who was recently hired as principal of Poulsbo Elementary School beginning in 2017-18. He taught fifth grade at Wolfle Elementary, was an interventionist at North Kitsap High School, and served as assistant principal at Kingston High School.

Peggy Dunbar, North Kitsap High School English teacher and department chair.

Elisa Garcia, a paraprofessional ELL instructor at Vinland Elementary School.

Barbara Haga, a 17-year paraprofessional instructor at Wolfle Elementary School and trainer in the autism program.

Claire Hallinan, second-grade teacher at Poulsbo Elementary School (she focuses on mindfulness, one nomination stated).

Susan James, counselor, Poulsbo Elementary School.

Mike McCorkle, math teacher at North Kitsap High School and North Kitsap Education Association president.

Michael McCurdy, Wolfle Elementary School music teacher, whose fifth-graders wrote a composition, “Wolfle Symphony,” which was premiered at Benaroya Hall.

Patty Moore, a 30-year paraprofessional instructor at Wolfle Elementary School.

Amy Roth, Pearson Elementary School third-grade teacher.

Shelly Schockley, LAP teacher at Vinland Elementary School, was presented with the Alpha Sigma Chapter Scholarship toward her master’s degree in education.

Wendy Tweten, Intensive Support Student teacher at Wolfle Elementary School (and an award-winning writer).

According to the organization, Delta Kappa Gamma “promotes educational excellence through service and personal and professional growth, including leadership development.” There are approximately 87,000 members worldwide.

The Alpha Sigma Chapter, founded in 1961, has members from Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, North Kitsap and Silverdale.