Jay Charles, February Teacher Elizabeth Patterson of Smithson Valley Middle School and Karen Clauss



The Coyote congratulates Elizabeth Patterson

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Why was Elizabeth nominated:
It is with great pride that I nominate Elizabeth Patterson for Magic 105.3's Teacher of the Month and Teacher of the Year. In fact, she should be the Teacher of the Day, everyday! Elizabeth Patterson teaches English/Language Arts at Smithson Valley Middle School where I am the principal.

To observe in Elizabeth's classroom, is to become part of the class. For example, if the students are reading about pirates, the class becomes pirates through language use, posture and writing style. If the students are reading about colonial dames, the class's whole demeanor changes. When Mrs. Patterson teaches writing, she teaches it with such detail and enthusiasm, that students volunteer to read their writing out loud because they are proud of it.

Mrs. Patterson's students love her! She shows them respect, and genuinely cares about each one individually. They are her children. She has no discipline problems because her students want to do well for her. Students who have gone on to the next grade level come back to visit her, because she made a lasting impression on them.

Elizabeth is as good outside the classroom as inside the classroom! She is a team player who gets involved in school projects. For example, she gets very involved with school testing and making sure students are prepared for the TAKS test. She is a member of a seventh grade team and is very involved in team support of students.

Mrs. Patterson also gets involved in activities that help improve and sustain the positive campus climate. For example, if the school has a themed dress-up day, rest assured, Mrs. Patterson will be dressed up. Whatever the project, she is always prepared to "jump in" and help like judging student dance contests. She has even been know to be a "percussionist" at an impromptu serenade on Bosses' Day.

As you can tell, I think very highly of Elizabeth, as do the rest of the Smithson Valley Middle School faculty. Elizabeth is an "unsung" hero who teaches "for the love of it" not the "glory of it." Can you tell I could go on and on? Please give Elizabeth Patterson serious consideration for Magic 105.3's Teacher of the Month and Teacher of the Year.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Pittman