West Memphis School District holds Teacher Awards Day

West Memphis School District holds Teacher Awards Day

Audrey Craven named Teacher of the Year

West Memphis School District The West Memphis School District recently moved toward wrapping up the 2015-16 school year with its annual Teacher Awards Day.

Individual schools' teachers of the year were announced as well as nine teachers and administrators who have announced their retirements.

The teachers of the year included Kimberly Newcomb of Bragg Elementary, Karis Pittillo at Faulk Elementary, Henry Valentine at L.R. Jackson Elementary, Karmen McNutt at Maddux Elementary, Mary Beth Gunter at Richland Elementary, Leigh Ann Wood at Weaver Elementary, Charrity Barnes at Wonder Elementary, Audrey Cole at East Junior High, Clayton Morrow at West Junior High, Lynell McGruder-Thomas at Wonder Junior High and Cherilyn Minnis at the Academies of West Memphis.

The district's teacher of the year in 2015-16 was Audrey Craven of the Academies of West Memphis.

She was also the regional teacher of the year and a state teacher of the year finalist.

The nine teachers or administrators who will retire at the end of the school year include Janet Warren with 10 years at Richland, Glen Banister with 11 years at East Junior High, Carol Baker with 16 years at AWM, Blaine Reeves Jr., with 20 years at East Junior High, Shelley Williams with 22 years at East Junior High, Nancy Moore with 31 years as teacher and data analysis, Gail Bomer with 36 years as district literacy coordinator, Gary Adams, who has served as elementary principal and assistant superintendent for 37 years, and Katherine Odom with 39 years at Wonder Elementary.

By Billy Woods