The Rocket

Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Focus

Media Credit: Submitted Photo (From left) Gerald Zachorchak, the commonwealth secretary of education, Fran Nesta, the executive director of the National State Teachers of the Year Organization of Pa., David Woten, the 2008 Pa. Teacher of the Year and Pa. Governor Ed Rendell were all at the ceremony in Harrisburg, Pa., where Woten was named teacher of the year. [Click to enlarge]

Every year, a teacher is selected as the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. For 2008, a Slippery Rock University graduate has earned the prestigious title.

David Woten, a 1991 SRU graduate, was announced as the 2008 winner on Oct. 2 by Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.

Woten, a 38-year-old middle school music teacher at Carson Middle School in the North Allegheny School District, was nominated by the principal of Carson Middle School, Brian Miller.

Miller believes that Woten positively affects learning of both faculty and students alike.

"In my 12 years in education, Dave is the most effective teacher that I have had the opportunity to experience," Miller said. "He balances the science, art and character necessary to build relationships and result in a high level of learning.

As a part of the nomination process, Woten's career as a teacher was analyzed by those involved with the Teacher of the Year Program.

"The process to get here is very thorough, and (they do) a great deal of inspection into your career," Woten said.

He believes that this thorough inspection provided him with a unique opportunity to look back on his career to see what he's done as a teacher.

Woten was selected as the winner from a group of 12 finalists from all across the state at the award ceremony in Harrisburg.

"I was very surprised," Woten said. "The other 11 finalists were all great and all from different backgrounds. No one really thought they'd be the winner."

Continued...

Page 1 of 3 next >

Article Tools