Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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June 5, 2009

Mercer’s 2009-10 Teacher of the Year from Lashmeet/Matoaka

LASHMEET — Lashmeet/Matoaka School kindergarten teacher Debbie Six learned Friday that she is Mercer County’s 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year. For the second year in a row, the distinction has gone to a Lashmeet/Matoaka teacher.

In 2006, Six was selected as county and state Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year, said Kellan Sarles, public information specialist for Mercer County Schools.

The National Board Certified teacher has traveled to China to study classrooms there and recently participated in the state Teacher Leadership Institute for 21st Century Skills and Project-Based Learning, Sarles said.

Superintendent Deborah Akers made the surprise announcement in a gymnasium filled with students and faculty. Principal Linda Richards was joined by Six’s daughters, Suzanne and Tina, and grandson Ethan as she presented an arrangement of pink rosebuds.

Six thanked last year’s county Teacher of the Year Tracy Samosky for “getting the ball rolling” at Lashmeet/Matoaka. “I was able to get this award because of you, because we’re a great school!” she told the students and staff.

“Mrs. Six makes content relevant to her kindergarteners’ lives and brings the world to her classroom through the Internet, guest speakers, and field trips,” Richards said. “She uses her extensive knowledge of reading research when she sets up her small flexible learning stations. It is always a pleasure to spend time in her classroom just to see and hear this process in action.”

Mercer County’s Teacher of the Year grew up in Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School. Following graduation, she worked for 11 years as a legal secretary for the West Virginia Department of Highways. At age 31, Six entered Concord College, graduated summa cum laude in four years and, in 2005, obtained her Master’s Degree in early childhood education.

Six has three grown children, Tina, Kevin, and Suzanne, and two grandchildren.

“I truly believe that Deborah Six is the best teacher to go on to represent Mercer County and the state of West Virginia as Teacher of the Year for 2009,” Richards said.

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