SCHOOL NEWS
Teachers, employee of the month named
Alaina Miller of Wakulla Middle School is February Teacher of the Month
Alaina Miller of Wakulla Middle School is February Teacher of the Month. Miller is currently a math teacher at Wakulla Middle School. She previously taught chorus at Wakulla Middle and Riversprings Middle School and taught various musical courses at Raa Middle School.
When asked what was most enjoyable about her job Miller noted, “Teaching music or teaching mathematics, you experience different challenges and joys. Regardless of the subject, the ability to show kids they are more able than they think brings me great happiness and satisfaction. It’s the “why” for me. Yes, there are extreme challenges in education today, but what keeps me in my classroom are the moments when my subject becomes “easy” for the student.”
Wakulla Middle School Principal Simeon Nelson said the following of Miller, “We are so thankful to have a Wildcat like Alaina Miller at Wakulla Middle School. She truly highlights what it means to be a highly effective teacher and mentor to students on a daily basis. The way Mrs. Miller scaffolds instruction for her students and meets them where they are at is truly a testament to her skills. Her classroom may sometimes feel chaotic, but it’s definitely an organized chaos where students grow and learn in a supported environment. Mrs. Miller is a valuable asset to our organization and we are lucky to have her!”
Angela Swain of Medart Elementary School is February Teacher of the Month
Angela Swain is Medart Elementary School February Teacher of the Month. Swain has taught 2nd and 3rd grade at Medart and is currently varying exceptionalities teacher. She joined Wakulla County Schools in 2005 after hearing that Wakulla County has awesome schools.
Swain says “I really enjoy working with students. I love being able to break down problems in math so that the students are able to understand the concept. I absolutely love when the students finally understand how to complete an assignment that they may have struggled on before. When you see their excitement about finally getting it, it puts a smile on my face!”
Medart Elementary Principal Stan Ward said the following of Swain, “Mrs. Swain is a master of her craft! She develops positive relationships with all of her students, and in turn they work hard to make her proud. Her calm and caring demeanor puts students at ease so that the most challenging of tasks seem doable with her support. As a teacher coach she supports her peers by offering assistance wherever needed by sharing her experiences and knowledge from the classroom. I can’t think of anyone better to represent our school as Teacher of the Month and we are all extremely grateful to be in the trenches with Mrs. Swain each day at Medart Elementary!”
Jennifer White of Riversink Elementary School is February Employee of the Month
Jennifer White a paraprofessional at Riversink Elementary School is February’s Employee of the Month. White moved to Wakulla County in 2016 with her family and started working at Wakulla County Schools shortly after.
White says of what she enjoys most about her job, “ I enjoy working with the students because everyday is different. Where else can you get hugs everyday and make a difference in a child’s life.”
Catherine Cutchen, Principal of Riversink Elementary School shared, “Jennifer White has the most incredible work habits of any paraprofessional I’ve met in 20 years of service. She is a team player. Jennifer jumps in to help in every situation. Jennifer never complains and is drama free. When I want to train a new para, I tell them to follow her footsteps. Jennifer treats every student with great respect and love. We are blessed to have someone of her caliber on our staff.”