Warren Central High School math teacher Cheryl Ashby smiles as her name is called for high school teacher of the year Thursday night.(The Vicksburg Post/MELANIE DUNCAN)

[01/25/02]Teachers selected as tops said they were awed Thursday when their names were called at the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet.

“I’m surprised,” Cheryl Ashby said. “I didn’t expect it. I love being in the classroom, this is just an extra plus.”

“It is an amazing honor,” said Janice Koestler.

Ashby, a math teacher at Warren Central High School, was named secondary school teacher of the year. Koestler, a guidance counselor at Redwood Elementary, won at the elementary level.

The teacher of the year recognition program has been conducted for 12 years and is based on peer nominations followed by interviews with a chamber panel composed of retired teachers.

“Teachers work every day in the classroom and don’t get recognized,” said A.J. “Buddy” Dees, chairman of the program for the chamber. “This is a way for the business community to recognize them.”

Ashby and Koestler were among 16 nominees from public, private and parochial schools.

“It was a very tough decision,” chamber executive Peggy Martin said.

Ashby, a 16-year teacher working in Warren County since 1987, said math teachers are often challenged when they hear the words, “I can’t do math.” The key, she said, is instilling confidence.

“It is convincing them that they can work through the problems,” Ashby said.

Ashby received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1986 and her master’s in education from Mississippi College in 1989. She also received certification as a specialist in elementary education from Louisiana State University in 1997.

“Students have so many things confronting them,” she said. “I think convincing them that taking time to sit down in the classroom and practice is the biggest challenge.”

Koestler received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mississippi College in 1992. She received her master’s in guidance education from Alcorn State University in 2001.

Koestler praised all of the teachers at Redwood Elementary.

“I give all the credit to the teachers,” she said. As a guidance counselor, Koestler works with the teachers to educate 419 students at Redwood.

“I don’t think it’s difficult compared to teaching,” she said.

Koestler said her job is to enable the students to deal with difficulty independently. “I try to help children solve their own problems,” she said.

Koestler taught at Beechwood for three years, leaving in 1995. She returned to Redwood Elementary in 2000.

Elementary Teacher of the Year nominees were Lynn Case, Grove Street; Christina Cochran, Warrenton; Jennifer Danczyk, Beechwood; Caroline Gatling, St. Francis Xavier; Tracy Gordon, Sherman Avenue; Ethel Scott, Bowmar; Sharon Williams, Dana Road; and Koestler.

Secondary school Teacher of the Year nominees were Carole Cameron, Vicksburg Intermediate; Kerry Gray, Center for Alternative Programs; Ethel Lassiter, Vicksburg Junior; Louise Lowe, Warren Central Intermediate; Cindy McClung, Vicksburg High; Anna Patin, Vicksburg Catholic; Martha Thorne, Warren Central Junior; and Ashby.