Texarkana Arkansas Announces Teacher of the Year
The Texarkana Arkansas School District has announced their Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Denise Ward was recently named the 2013-2014 Texarkana Arkansas School District Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Ward is the physical education coach at Kilpatrick Elementary.
In 1986, Mrs. Ward graduated from Southern Arkansas University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She began teaching P.E. at Kilpatrick and Union Elementary. Mrs. Ward has been teaching for 18 ½ years.
Mrs. Ward believes that a good teacher not only loves to teach children, but loves every child they teach. “I don’t consider myself as one of the smartest teachers, but feel that what I lack in brains, I make up for in heart,” Mrs. Ward said during the TASD Year-End Celebration. “I love what I do and truly love my students.” Mrs. Wards says her rewards in teaching are not monetary or things that can hang on a wall. Her rewards are found in her students’ smiles, hugs, laughter and that look in their eyes when they have learned something new.
Mrs. Ward’s knowledge of content and her preparation in all sports is excellent. She strives to teach the basic rules and terminology of each P. E. activity along with good sportsmanship and fair play. She is hands-on and involved every minute with all of her students. “Mrs. Ward always demonstrates a positive, energetic, and enthusiastic personality,” commented Kilpatrick principal Mr. DeMarcus Green. “Her rapport with her students as well as colleagues exemplifies respect and high expectations for all stakeholders.”
In the spring, Mrs. Ward plans, organizes, sets up and oversees Kilpatrick’s field days. She also actively participates in Kilpatrick’s Fall Festival and Spring Fling. On Friday afternoons, she encourages staff members to join her in the gym to get physical by playing what the students play: basketball, bowling, or riding big tricycles.
She is very active in her church and is involved in youth baseball and softball in her community. Mrs. Ward is married to Scott and they have four children; Randy, Jessie, Austin and Peyton.
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