Teacher of the year candidates were (from left) B.J. Edwards at Alleghany High School, Heath Vogler at Piney Creek School, Tonya Dillard at Glade Creek School and Cindy Atwood at Sparta School. Atwood was selected as the overall winner of the countywide honor.

Atwood named teacher of the year; all four candidates are honored

Sparta School's Cindy Atwood was named Teacher of the Year for Alleghany County Schools. The announcement was made during a May 2 meeting of the board.

Brenda Sutherland, who serves as the director of personnel for the school system, spoke briefly about the program and introduced the nominees to the board members and the audience.

"This is a pleasure each year, it's one of my favorite things to do," Sutherland said. "Each year, our schools nominate their candidates and they are voted on by their peers, so this is a great honor."

Nominees for the Teacher of the Year were B.J. Edwards at Alleghany High School, Tonya Dillard at Glade Creek School, Heath Vogler at Piney Creek School, and Cindy Atwood at Sparta School.

Edwards worked at AHS from 1980 until 1988 as an exceptional children's teacher. Then from August 1988 until August 1998, she worked with exceptional children at Glade Creek School. In August 1998, Edwards returned to work with exceptional children at AHS and has worked there since.

Dillard has been employed as a pre-school teacher at Glade since July 2005.

Vogler has worked at Piney since being hired in December 1993 and has taught social studies, health, physical education and science to sixth through eighth-grade students. At the present time, he is teaching social studies and science. Atwood worked in Elkin City Schools from December 1975 until May 1978. In August 1978, Atwood became a Title I reading teacher at Sparta School, a position she has held since.

Each nominee was presented with gifts—the three female nominees were given flowers and Vogler received a boxed gift. Meanwhile, Atwood also received a plaque on behalf of the Sparta Lions Club, presented by Bob Sprinkle and a silver plate, presented by Superintendent Jeff Cox.

After presentations were made, the four nominees were applauded for their achievements.

Each nominee was asked to write essays in response to questions posed by Sutherland. The teachers provided information regarding a professional biography and discussed their philosophies of teaching. Portions of the teacher's submissions were read to the audience as the nominees were introduced.

Within Atwood's professional biography, she noted that her parents, as well as close family members, influenced her personally and professionally, while former teachers inspired her.

"During my youth, the effect of a good education on the quality of life was reflected through the words and actions of my parents, grandparents and relatives," Atwood stated. "With realization of the expectations of my family, I developed the aim to become a teacher."

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