News

School system honors county teacher of the year

By Natasha Townsend, Published: May 26, 2017

Carly Allman’s “eureka moment” came when she found that her love of science equaled her love of educating. She knew she wanted to be a teacher, Scott Rhodes, chief human resources officer for the Henderson County school system, told a roomful of teachers and administrators gathered at the Hendersonville Country Club Friday. Allman, an East Henderson High School biology teacher, was honored during the luncheon as the county’s 2017 Teacher of the Year.

“She believes learning should not be tied to a clock,” Rhodes said. “It should be tied to making sure students understand the material. Learning is the constant, time is the variable, and she has always been there for her students.”
Allman is always willing to meet with students outside of the classroom as often as needed to make sure they fully understand the class material.
“She’s focused on building strong relationships with students,” he added.

Allman thanked her fellow educators.
“I am very humbled and honored,” she said. “I love what I do. I love all my students. I give everything to my kids and coworkers, who I want to give credit for instilling love for the subject and building relationships with my students.”

Hundreds of East Henderson High students and faculty gathered at the football stadium, holding balloons and hand-written signs as Allman returned to the campus.
“I love the way she taught and the way she is,” said Joseph Russell, a senior who had Allman for biology. “She’s just an awesome woman in general. If I could go another year and be in her class again, I would immediately.”
Mackenna Williams, another senior, said: “I had Ms. Allman when I was a sophomore for anatomy class, and she was just a really inspirational teacher. She taught us so much, and she just really cared about us. She’s an awesome teacher.”
Teacher Lauren Caffee agreed.

“This is my first year at East,” she said. “I can tell you that Ms. Allman immediately made a great impression on me. She was so welcoming, and one of the very first things that I noticed about her was her passion for her students and how much the students responded to that. They really do love her, as you can see from the celebration today, and I think a lot of that is because of her dedication. She’s done a lot to revolutionize the way we do smart period here and the way we help remediate our students and also provide enrichment for them, which has been a really great influence for the school. She’s so focused on making sure that our kids get what they need. She’s really just a great person.”

During the luncheon, sponsored by Park Ridge Health, West Henderson High School senior Samuel Littauer delivered keynote remarks that thanked teachers for their devotion.

“You are here not only because of your ability to teach but because of your ability to inspire,” he said. “The lessons you are teaching now, (students) will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
The nominees for Henderson County Teacher of the Year included:

· Holly J. Kolarova, Apple Valley Middle

· Suzanne I. Burnette, Atkinson Elementary

· Anthony D. Johnson, Balfour Education Center

· Theresa V. Parks, Bruce Drysdale Elementary

· Grace Quick, Clear Creek Elementary

· Aramis D. Mugica, Dana Elementary

· Thomas J. Savage, Early College High

· Melissa T. Duncan, Edneyville Elementary

· Margaret Melonie Watts, Etowah Elementary

· Tony W. McMinn, Flat Rock Middle

· Amy Youngblood, Fletcher Elementary

· Andrea M. Smith, Glenn C. Marlow Elementary

· Tara A. Anderson, Hendersonville Elementary

· Walter L. Cottingham, Hendersonville High

· Katherine J. Gash, Hendersonville Middle

· Cody S. Merriman, Hillandale Elementary

· Holly S. Bader, Mills River Elementary

· Lucy R. Joyce, North Henderson High

· Ashley Q. Wellman, Rugby Middle

· Ryan J. Mitchell, Sugarloaf Elementary

· Diane L. Norgan, Upward Elementary

· Jason R. Livingston, West Henderson High