Fannin Teacher of the Year: Ashley Sparks from EFES

 

Ashley Sparks, 5^th grade language arts and reading teacher at EFES, is Fannin County School System’s Teacher of the Year.

Sparks sees her students as the product of all teachers at EFES, not just a product of herself or a particular grade.  Sparks taught her current fifth graders in first- and third-grade. This year, Sparks gets to see how her youngsters have matured.  “I am in a neat space that doesn’t occur for many teachers.  I get to see the beginning, middle and end.  Most of the time teachers only get to see one grade level,” said Sparks.

Teaching isn’t only teaching facts; it is also building character.  Sparks emphasizes the Golden Rule in her classes both for her students and herself.  She said, “I want students to feel welcomed, respected, loved and valued – yourself and your opinion.”

Sparks’  belief that all the adults at EFES work together as a team to teach and grow up a child carries through with her work with the fifth-grade teaching team.  She and the fifth-grade social studies teacher, Teresa Martin, link the information in their classes.  In social studies, the students learn about the event.  Sparks uses young adult literature and writing so students can match an event to the experience of a real person.  To support science and math, Sparks develops her vocabulary lessons around terms that students use in the classes.

Sparks said Number the Stars, a book about a young girl who helps her Jewish friend during World War II is a book ,especially impresses students about the people behind the events. Sparks has other books that she recommends for parents of fifth-graders.  The new volume of  Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a winning story right now as well as the Big Nate series and a lot of non-fiction themes.  You would be surprised at how many students love reading non-fiction about sports heroes and celebrities said Sparks.

Sparks is one of the first teachers at EFES to use Google Classroom (FCHS and FCMS are already using it).  Goggle Classroom is an online class organization and teaching tool that enhances how students access information.  She can post class information, links to websites for future studies and organize group projects.  During group project work, students use chat rooms to discuss with their team members, even if the team members are sitting in the same room.  Students learn how to discuss and explain without looking at team members face-to-face.  The experience prepares the students for adulthood and work in a technological world where team members are located anywhere and the main method of communication is written, not visual.

Point of information for parents, even though the program is called Google Classroom and students receive a Goggle account,  sites they can visit and how they speak on social media through Google Classroom is still monitored by FCSS.

Sparks is a lifelong resident of Fannin County, except for her first two months of life when she lived in Tampa.  Sparks and her husband, Caleb Sparks, have three children ranging from age 4 to 12.

Sparks was honored at the Fannin County Teacher of the Year banquet on Tuesday, September 27^th.  The other nominees were Robbi Callihan – BRES, Tonya Callihan – WFES, Jodi Morgan – FCMS and Pam Patterson – FCHS.  As Fannin’s Teacher of the Year, Sparks will represent Fannin County in the state-wide Teacher of the Year recognition program in school year 2017-2018.

Fannin’s Teacher of the Year Banquet was held at Willow Creek Falls, which has graciously hosted the event for three years.  The Banquet had support from others in Fannin as well:  Mercier Orchards, Hometown IGA, Kevin Panter Insurance, Premier CPA Services, Rotary Club, TDS Telecom , Terry Lee Wilson and Pete Wilson Senior and Junior.