Every student remembers a certain teacher who helped them ace that hard math test or taught them how to complete a sentence with proper grammar.
To help reward those teachers who’ve made such a strong impact on student’s lives, Oxford teachers Darlene Harsant, Catherine Colagross and Christine McPherson were selected to be the school district’s nominees for the 2007-08 Oakland County Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.
Each of the 28 school districts in the county selects three teachers at the high school, middle school and elementary levels to be nominees for county Teacher of the Year at their respective level.
The three county-wide winners will be notified sometime between April 7-11 and will be recognized May 8 during a special event at the Oakland Schools administrative building in Waterford.
Darlene Harsant
The nominee for the elementary level went to Darlene Harsant at Daniel Axford.
‘I am touched and humbled by this nomination,? said Harsant, who’s in her third year of teaching in Oxford Schools.
She began in the district as a long term substitute for the reading specialist at Leonard and Lakeville elementaries. She then moved to kindergarten at Clear Lake and now teaches second grade at DA.
When it comes to teaching, Harsant believes in working with the child as a ‘whole.?
‘I know if I teach to their hearts, their minds will follow,? she said. ‘I must know and understand the needs of each individual child, facilitating each student to reach their potential in cooperation with the parent team.?
Her most memorable moment as a teacher came when she received a letter from a fifth grade student she had taught as a first grade teacher in Naperville, Illinois.
‘I was struck by the confidence and continued excitement for learning her letter reflected,? she said, adding that she also loves the moments when the kids ‘get it? and the light bulb in their head turns on.
Catherine Colagross
The nominee for the middle school level went to seventh grade geography and English teacher, Catherine Colagross, who’s been at Oxford Middle School for 12 years.
‘It is a great honor to be chosen to represent the middle school,? she said. ‘Our staff is filled with talented teachers.?
Colagross considers all of her students ‘buds waiting to blossom? and believes it’s her challenge as a teacher to find what will make them spring to life.
‘Each year I have students that make me grow and find creative ways to teach,? she said. ‘What I find most rewarding is when former students e-mail me or see me in the community and tell me how much they enjoyed my class.?
Christine McPherson
The nominee for the high school level went to Christine McPherson, a support teacher who’s worked in Oxford for 12 years.
‘I am deeply grateful for all the wonderful people who surround me, have mentioned me, and who have supported me,? she said. ‘I am extremely lucky to have been guided by so many gifted teachers, paraprofessionals, ancillary staff, parents and students.?
Currently, McPherson works with students who sometimes have difficulty learning in reading, writing and pre-algebra classes.
McPherson said she tries to appreciate all of the unique characteristics and qualities her students bring to class each day.
‘I really hope that I reflect to each student how special they are,? she said. ‘I want them to feel that they are in an environment where they are safe, comfortable and appreciated.?
McPherson also believes teachers need to develop relationships with their students, all while treating then in a humane and respectful manner, as well as making humor a mandatory aspect of her daily agenda.
‘Laughing with kids lets them know that I understand them and that I want them to enjoy their time at school,? she said.
McPherson’s most memorable moment in the district was when a dying mother of a student of hers asked her to take care of her son in school.
‘I was so honored that she thought I was capable of doing that,? she said. ‘The student ended up graduating and he is a fine young man. I just feel grateful to be a part of his life and hopefully was a help in leading him throughout his school years.?
Other nominees from the Oxford School District included Jessica Peyerk (Leonard), Linda Dzurka (Lakeville), Krista Rushlow (OES), Ann Ashley (Clear Lake).