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Dr. Betsy Rogers, National Teacher of the Year
Dr. Rogers is the 53rd National Teacher of the Year. The recipient of
this prestigious award for teachers serves an annual term to focus public
attention across the country on teaching excellence. In 1985 Rogers
began teaching first grade at Leeds Elementary, where she says the poverty,
abuse, and neglect experienced every day by some of her students overwhelmed
her. Recognizing that all children learn differently and at a different
pace, Rogers implements a variety of methods and materials to promote
individual development of meaningful learning and social cooperation.
Part of this is using a theme-based curriculum that follows the state
guidelines.
After 24 years away from a university setting, she earned three degrees:
a master’s degree in elementary education, an educational specialist
in elementary education degree, and a doctorate degree in educational
leadership...all in the past five years. Dr. Rogers has been a teacher
in the Jefferson County, AL system since 1974 and currently teaches
at Brighton Middle School.
Coach Grant Teaff, Executive Director,
American Football Coaches Association
As Executive Director of the 10,000+ member organization for the past
11 years, Coach Teaff is involved in every issue that affects the college
game, and has become a strong spokesman for the game of football. As
a nationally known author and motivational speaker, Teaff loves to share
his leadership techniques with those involved in education, the business
world, and particularly with coaches.
Teaff has become one of the most effective administrators in intercollegiate
athletics. In 2002, the Sporting News ranked Teaff as one of the most
powerful administrators of college athletics. In December 2004, Teaff
was named one of the most influential people in college sports by Street & Smith's Sports
Business Journal. Grant Teaff's outstanding career
as a college coach has placed him in eight Halls of Fame, including
the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame.
He won 170 football games, two Southwest Conference Championships, coached
in 20 post season bowls and all-star games. He was Coach of the Year
six times in the Southwest Conference, and received National Coach of
the Year Awards from the American Football Coaches Association and the
Football Writers Association.
Grant Teaff's values are rooted in his West Texas upbringing. He began
to develop his leadership skills as a student at Snyder High School.
He was captain of his high school, community college, and senior college
football teams. He quickly became a leader in his chosen profession.
Teaff was involved in national issues as a coach, and as an administrator.
Dr. Mary M. Wood, Professor
Emeritus of Special Education at the University of Georgia
Dr. Wood has focused her professional life on translating theory and
research into practices that improve the lives of troubled children
and teens. Her concern about the impact of contemporary psychosocial
stresses on young people continues to fuel the team efforts to use the
Developmental Therapy curriculum with those who are at risk. Dr. Wood
lectures, consults, and writes about issues that affect the children
and their families. She is involved currently with training, research,
and publication activities of the Developmental Therapy Institute, the
Developmental Therapy - Teaching Programs at the University of Georgia,
College of Family and Consumer Sciences, and the expansion of the Developmental
Therapy model internationally. The latest products include a series
of interactive CD-ROM programs that provide simulated in-service practice
for personnel using positive behavioral interventions with preschool
children, those in elementary school, and teens. Her latest publication
is the 2nd edition of Life Space Crisis Intervention co-authored with
Nicholas Long and Frank Fecser.
Her academic preparation in early childhood and elementary education,
special education, and clinical psychology, with degrees from Goucher
College and the University of Georgia, has enabled Dr. Wood to synthesize
theory and research across disciplines. Connecting the best in mental
health and special education practices has been a continuing endeavor
for her. To this academic background, she adds 25 years of direct work
with children and youth who have social, emotional, and behavioral disabilities.
The earliest foundations for the Developmental Therapy-Developmental
Teaching model came from her work in establishing the first special
education teacher training program and clinic for severely emotionally
disturbed children and youth in Georgia. This work expanded to become
the Rutland-Developmental Therapy model in Clarke County, Georgia, eventually
becoming the prototype for the Georgia Psycho educational Services Network
of 24 programs, serving about 7,000 severely disturbed children and
youth each year.
Dr. John Murphy, former
Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg & Prince George’s
County Public Schools Now
Since 1958, Dr. Murphy has been responsible for dynamic progress and
reform throughout the education community. Dr. Murphy is the author
of Transforming America's Schools and serves on the board of the National
Center on Education and the Economy.
Dr. Murphy has served as Superintendent in eight school systems including
Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Prince George's County Public Schools; consultant
to numerous school districts including Chicago Public Schools, Baltimore
County Public Schools, Oklahoma City Public Schools; consultant to the
United States Department of Education and numerous county and state
education departments.
Dr. Murphy has been the recipient of many distinguished national awards
and actively participates in local, state, and national public service
activities. He is a requested keynote speaker and presenter and lecturer
for numerous universities as well as the United States.
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Dr. Betsy Rogers, National Teacher of the Year
Coach Grant Teaff, Executive Director, American Football Coaches Association
Dr. Mary M. Wood, Professor Emeritus of Special Education at the University of Georgia
Dr. John Murphy, former Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg & Prince George’s
County Public Schools Now
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