It was nearing the end of the day when Brooklet Elementary teacher Becky Petkewicz was surprised by a visit to her classroom. She was even more surprised to learn she had been chosen as the 2006 Bulloch County Teacher of the Year.
When Bulloch County School Superintendent Dr. Jessie Strickland, Assistant Superintendent Dianne Bath and members of the local media entered Petkewicz's fifth-grade classroom, she appeared puzzled. Then Strickland, holding a floral arrangement she would give Petkewicz, began explaining the Teacher of the Year competition, it is likely she figured out the reason for the visit.
""I'm truly humbled," she said. "I know there are some phenomenal teachers in Bulloch County, and to be chosen in this county is astonishing."
Strickland spoke a few moments before turning the stage over to the students. Several spoke, sharing why they loved Petkewicz.
One boy said she made sure they knew things. Another praised her choice of reading material available for the class. And one young lady said when Petkewicz has to punish a student, she makes the punishment fun.
The teacher's main focus is on reading, and as a language arts and reading teacher, that makes sense. But Petkewicz's enthusiasm about reading and determination that all her students will learn that enthusiasm goes beyond duty.
"I get excited about coming to work when I get up in the morning," she said. "I don't think of it as work. It's not just a job to me, it's a ministry."
Teaching kids to love reading is a challenge she welcomes. When parents tell her at the beginning of the year their children don't like to read, she asks "just give me until Christmas."
By then, they love reading, she said. She finds ways to capture their interest and introduces them to different genres of reading.
"They see the excitement I have for reading and I think it rubs off," she said.
Petkewicz has been teaching for 11 years - the past three at Brooklet Elementary.
The Teacher of the Year is chosen after fellow teachers nominate candidates. Then, the nominees complete applications, which are reviewed by the school to decide the school's chosen candidate.
For the county competition, outside judges review the applications independently and give scores, which are reviewed, said Bath. The criteria for the honor is set by the state, and the teacher with the highest points is chosen.
"Everywhere I go, I see (Petkewicz) is involved in everything," she said. "That says wonderful things about her. She is devoted to teaching and learning, she loves children and loves to see them do well."
Petkewicz will advance to the state Teacher of the Year competition in January.
When Bulloch County School Superintendent Dr. Jessie Strickland, Assistant Superintendent Dianne Bath and members of the local media entered Petkewicz's fifth-grade classroom, she appeared puzzled. Then Strickland, holding a floral arrangement she would give Petkewicz, began explaining the Teacher of the Year competition, it is likely she figured out the reason for the visit.
""I'm truly humbled," she said. "I know there are some phenomenal teachers in Bulloch County, and to be chosen in this county is astonishing."
Strickland spoke a few moments before turning the stage over to the students. Several spoke, sharing why they loved Petkewicz.
One boy said she made sure they knew things. Another praised her choice of reading material available for the class. And one young lady said when Petkewicz has to punish a student, she makes the punishment fun.
The teacher's main focus is on reading, and as a language arts and reading teacher, that makes sense. But Petkewicz's enthusiasm about reading and determination that all her students will learn that enthusiasm goes beyond duty.
"I get excited about coming to work when I get up in the morning," she said. "I don't think of it as work. It's not just a job to me, it's a ministry."
Teaching kids to love reading is a challenge she welcomes. When parents tell her at the beginning of the year their children don't like to read, she asks "just give me until Christmas."
By then, they love reading, she said. She finds ways to capture their interest and introduces them to different genres of reading.
"They see the excitement I have for reading and I think it rubs off," she said.
Petkewicz has been teaching for 11 years - the past three at Brooklet Elementary.
The Teacher of the Year is chosen after fellow teachers nominate candidates. Then, the nominees complete applications, which are reviewed by the school to decide the school's chosen candidate.
For the county competition, outside judges review the applications independently and give scores, which are reviewed, said Bath. The criteria for the honor is set by the state, and the teacher with the highest points is chosen.
"Everywhere I go, I see (Petkewicz) is involved in everything," she said. "That says wonderful things about her. She is devoted to teaching and learning, she loves children and loves to see them do well."
Petkewicz will advance to the state Teacher of the Year competition in January.