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"Nothing you do for a child is ever wasted"
- Garrison Keillor
Prairie Home Companion
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Berkeley County 2004 Teacher of the Year: Karen Cookson
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Cookson has been the library media specialist at Marrington Elementary School for 22 years. Nominated by her peers at the school level, Cookson was selected District Teacher of the Year in March from among 36 applicants, based on a three-step process: written application; interview; and, classroom visitation. As District Teacher of the Year Cookson is the spokesperson for the teaching profession and serves as vice chair of the Berkeley County Teacher Forum.
Marrington Elementary Principal Roy Hoyle described Cookson as an exceptional employee and an active supporter of the school and its PTA. "She initiated a Readers' Prize Patrol where teachers and parent volunteers go into the community during set hours and knock on doors of randomly selected homes", said Hoyle. "If students are caught reading they get a prize, a sign for the yard and the chance to win a grand prize."
Cookson recently completed a three year commitment to study best practices in reading through the South Carolina Reading Initiative. In 2001 she earned the honor of being selected a U.S. Library of Congress Memory Fellow. She has held numerous leadership positions with the South Carolina Association of School Librarians.
Cookson says that as a Media Specialist her subject is LEARNING. "Working with young children gives me the opportunity to impact them as they develop into habitual readers and library users," said Cookson. "I want them to be able to navigate through life and become responsible and courteous users of knowledge and materials."
"The Berkeley County Foundation for Education is recognized by Berkeley as a tremendous professional resource," said Cookson. "Through the Foundation's mini-grant assistance teachers are able to implement their great ideas to make learning relevant and exciting."
As District Teacher of the Year, Cookson received $1,000 from the Foundation for Education. "What a wonderful surprise," said Cookson. "And a wonderful reserve for special experiences. As a Media Specialist I can always find a way to turn a personal experience into a learning experience."
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The Berkeley County Foundation for Education is a designated IRS Section
501(C)(3) organization under which your contributions are tax deductible.
Foundation E-mail: admin@bcfoundationfored.org
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