BY MELISSA PYLE
Special to the Telegraph
The Bradford County Education Foundation hosted its annual awards ceremony and dessert reception on May 7. The event is a time of recognition for all those who were nominated by their schools for the honor of Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year, including those selected as the districtwide representatives.
Superintendent Will Hartley spoke before presenting the awards and explained that when the committee presented him the final names out of the list of honorees he told them, “It doesn’t matter who you say right now because anyone, literally on either of those lists would have been a fantastic representation of the school district.”
Hartley praised all the teachers and employees in the district, not just those recognized at the event. He said he appreciates them and is grateful for all they do in what is seemingly a thankless job at times. Hartley went on to say, “I see what you do for our children … and I can’t thank you enough.”
This year’s districtwide Teacher of the Year is Bradford High School curriculum resource teacher Audrey Murphy. Murphy has been teaching for 25 years and said her favorite part of the job is the community of people she gets to be involved with on a daily basis.
The districtwide School-Related Employee of the Year is Jo Clark. Clark has been serving just two years in her role at Bradford Elementary but has already made a huge impact on the lives of the children and the educators. Clark said her favorite part of the job is just being able to help the children.
Other Teacher of the Year honorees included Kendra Griffin (BMS), Donna Padgett (BES), Makayla Elixson (LES), Sally Brugnoli (NFTC) and Michelle Greist (SES).
Honorees for School-Related Employee of the Year were Loretta Leverson (BHS), Gerald Smith (BMS), Angel Autry (district office), Karen Henry (LES), Valarie Jones (NFTC), Courtney Allen (Rainbow Center), Andrea Trowell (SES) and Kennra Dreer (Transportation).
