Vicki Potter is in charge of world languages at Clarkston High School, hiring and evaluating teachers and shaping the future of district foreign language curricula.
That and her dedication to the community earned her Clarkston Foundation for Public Education’s Teacher of the Year award.
“Thank you all so much,” said Potter at the June 3 Excellence in Education breakfast. “I feel really humble to be a part of this group. I’m inspired to do more.”
With 18 years of teaching experience, 16 with Clarkston Community Schools, Potter organizes students to work with Clarkston Area Youth Assistance, Christmas in Action, Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, Adopt-A-Highway and other service groups, and also coordinates Creativity, Action, and Service projects in the district’s new International Baccalaureate program.
The Foundation’s award selection committee reviewed 12 nominees, Ron Conwell, Mike Greve, Ed Lipke, Dan Mooney, Mari Ann Pace-Bleau, Jon Paddock, Rich Porritt, Kim Prentice, Darlene Roche, Erin Shaw, Sue Wilson, and Potter.
They selected three finalists, Potter, Paddock, and Wilson, and made their final selection based on classroom visits, said Chairperson Sherrie VanderVeen.
“To each of the 12 nominated teachers, it’s been a privelege and honor to get to know you through the eyes of the community,” VanderVeen said. “We are certainly a better community because of the 12 of you.”
Potter, World Languages-French teacher at Clarkston High School, teaches all levels of high school French and seventh-grade exploratory French
She serves as member of the Oakland County World Languages Council, Clarkston Community Schools World Languages Department chairperson, and sponsors the high school French Club, leading 11 student trips to France and one to Quebec.
Paddock, eighth-grade science and Student Leadership teacher at Clarkston Junior High School, has five years with the district.
He helped designing the Leadership Class for students grades 8-9, and represents the district on the Oakland Schools Math, Science and Technology Integration Initiative.
Wilson, seventh-grade Language Arts teacher at Sashabaw Middle School, has eight years experience with Clarkston.
She serves as the district ‘Learn and Serve? grant coordinator, and teacher mentor for student teachers and non-tenure teachers.
The Foundation honored secondary-school teachers this year. Next year, it will recognize elementary teachers.