Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce

2/5/2010 - Teacher honored for character education effort

Teacher honored for character education effort

PIS educator recognized by local coalition for investments of 'energy, time, patience'

By Don Fletcher
Progress staff writer

Although members of the Autauga County Board of Education discussed several minor issues involving various school construction or renovation projects during last Thursday's monthly meeting, the fiscal issues were somewhat overshadowed by character-related ones.

The business part of the school board session began with a special presentation by the Prattville-Autauga Character Coalition. The group's brief introduction included a "re-presentation" of the recognition it recently bestowed upon one of the system's educators.

Frank Lamar, the coalition's top officer, made the presentation on behalf of the organization as several other coalition members looked on.

Lamar first provided BOE members with some background on the relationship that has existed for four years between the character coalition and the local school network.

"Soon after we got organized, we applied for and got a grant from Auburn University Extension Service to work in the schools and within the education system," he said. "We got started early-on in several of the schools and have been involved ever since with several schools throughout the county."

He said that the group has annually recognized one local teacher for his or her effort on behalf of character education, and that Kerry Puckett -- a special needs teacher at Prattville Intermediate School -- embodied the reason behind the decision to offer such recognition.

"A number of teachers were nominated, and a committee selected Ms. Puckett for this year's character award," he said before reading from the certificate Puckett received during a recent luncheon ceremony at the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce.

"(The coalition) recognizes Kerry Puckett for demonstrating deference, diligence and enthusiasm for investing enthusiastic energy, time and patience to instill the character trait of 'responsibility' to your special needs class," he read.

Puckett was also cited for "maintaining a positive and hard-working attitude that inspires your students to be successful in every test they complete," and for "being a good role model among your peers, as well as your students, by demonstrating excellence of character."

The PIS educator received a hearty round of applause from Superintendent of Education Greg Faulkner, board members, Central Office personnel and a scattering of citizens who were in attendance.

Faulkner expressed pride in the teacher's accomplishment.

"This reflects well on Prattville Intermediate, and on our entire school system," he said. "Our system is filled with excellent teachers, and Kerry Puckett is certainly a member of that group."

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