News
WHPS TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
The three finalists are Troy W. Jones, a sixth-grade physical education teacher at King Philip Middle School; Andrew Mayo, who teaches instrumental music to fourth- and fifth-graders at Wolcott Elementary School; and Jasdeep Singh, a science teacher at Sedgwick Middle School.
Troy Jones, an educator at King Philip Middle School for six years, is a 1998 Conard High School graduate. Jones sent a job application to only one school district after graduating from Springfield College – West Hartford. At KPM, he is the Yearbook Advisor, founder and coordinator of People Learning And Exercising (PLAE), as well as heading up the Outing Club.
Andrew Mayo teaches instrumental music to 150 fourth- and fifth-graders at Wolcott School, where the percentage of students in those grades playing an instrument is the highest in the district. He is also manager of the Inter-Elementary Band. Superintendent David P. Sklarz praised Mayo's efforts to promote instrumental music among low-income and minority students.
At Sedgwick Middle School, Jasdeep Singh leads an after-school group called Student CAST — Communication, Activism, Science, Technology — which brings together popular and socially awkward kids, and those from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds every Friday afternoon to explore topics such as alternative energy. He is also active in intramural sports and is an avid user of educational technology.
The Teacher of the Year will be named on May 22nd, at the WHEA dinner and recognition ceremony.