Teachers of the Year honored

One teacher from each Pike County school was selected as Teacher of the Year, including primary school teacher and coach Zach Nauck, elementary school teacher and District Teacher of the Year Angel Nauck, middle school teacher Amy Goude and high school teacher Clay Woerner. All four of Pike County’s Teachers of the Year were honored at the Tuesday, Oct. 15 board of education meeting. ’As always, we’re honoring a fabulous group of educators who dedicate their lives to teaching our young people,’ said superintendent Dr. Michael Duncan. ‘These are wonderful educators and wonderful people for our students to have as role models.’Coach Zach Nauck was presented to the board by primary principal Sheryl Watts. ’At Pike County Primary School, everyone loves coach Nauck,’ said Watts. ‘The students especially love him because he makes P.E. so much fun. It’s something they look forward to each day. He’s a brave soul because he risks his life every morning directing traffic. He gives his all to our school.’ Several of Angel Nauck’s students from the past and present, known as ‘˜Nauck’s Noggins,’ recited some of her ‘˜Nauck Nog-isms’ and read a poem to introduce her as District Teacher of the Year. ’She loves her family, she loves her students and she has a strong faith in God and that passion just flows right over into her classroom,’ said principal Kevin Huffstetler.Middle school teacher Amy Goude was presented by principal Dr. Vickie Smith. ’We’re blessed to have had her as a part of the middle school family for 12 years. She’s an outstanding math teacher and she teaches a high school credit math course, coordinate algebra,’ she said. ‘She’s constantly on the move to be prepared to present curriculum to her students. She’s a valuable member of the middle school family. She coaches the math team, is active with the Beta Club and is a big supporter regularly of all that we’re doing.’Clay Woerner was presented as the Teacher of the Year at the high school by principal Mike Maddox. ’This is his eighth year at PCHS and he’s been teaching for 20 years. He rejuvenated the wrestling programs at PCHS and helped grow it into a tremendously strong program. He has been the department chair of social studies for six years or longer and is a true leader,’ said Maddox. ‘The students love him. Two years ago, he brought an AP human geography class for ninth graders to PCHS. You can see his passion when he’s in the classroom. Last year the student body elected to dedicate the year book to coach Woerner as he and his family stood tall through a challenging time. We’re all so proud of him.’The board also: ’¢ Heard from financial director Ken Carter that 99.5% of the previous school year budget was spent and revenue projections for the previous fiscal year fell just short. The school is three months into the new budget year and has spent around 25.8% in the first quarter. ’¢ Heard from chairman Ryan Edge who said the state has found $58 million unused funds in the Department of Corrections budget. He encouraged board members and constituents to contact state representatives and senators to encourage them to put that money into education. ’¢ Discussed the school system’s strategic plan.