Thompson Named Ripley’s Teacher Of The Year
POSTED: July 3, 2008
The Ripley Central School Student Council recently honored Mrs. Rhonda Thompson, secondary social studies teacher, as the Ripley Central School “Teacher of the Year” on June 13, 2008 at this school’s Academic Awards Ceremony. She received a framed certificate as a symbol of this recognition.
Samantha Eimers, RCS Student Council President and member of the RCS Class of 2008, stated, “This woman has some of the most school spirit I have ever seen in a teacher. She is always trying to attend games, giving praise after one of the teams brings home a win, and she is involved with the Battle of the Classes during Homecoming Spirit Week. When the Lady Eagles Basketball Team made it to the state semi-finals in Troy, NY, she traveled the full hours there and back to watch the girls play.”
Eimers continued, “I admire this woman’s perfect balance between having fun and getting work done. She is able to make almost anything interesting. When it comes to choosing different material for teaching her classes, she selects a wide variety to appeal to everyone in the class, and because of her ability to interest everyone, she rarely has many failures. In addition, she is a tutor outside of school to students who are unable to attend classes.”
“As the Ripley PTO School Liaison, she was also involved with the PTO bake sales this year, and when the elementary playground was built, she helped,” said Eimers. “I am upset that I am graduating this year because I will no longer be able to eat the amazing cookies she brings to school. It is with greatest pleasure that I announce the recipient of this year’s “Teacher of the Year” Award to Mrs. Thompson.”
Upon receiving this honor, Mrs. Thompson stated, “I am so deeply honored to receive this award. This award is so special and means so much because it is given by the students; therefore, it is one of the highest honors that could ever be bestowed upon any teacher. The only higher honor is to be so lucky as to have the opportunity to teach such a magnificent group of people. I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all Ripley Central School students of whom I am so proud.”
In addition to her role as a social studies teacher of students in grades 11 and 12, and also as an English teacher of senior students, Mrs. Thompson, who has been employed in the district since 2001, has previously taught students in grades 8, 9 and 10. She served as the RCS National Honor Society Advisor from 2001 to 2205 and as a home instruction tutor since 2000.
She has provided summer remediation sessions in order to prepare some students for the U.S. History and Government August Regents Examinations. Mrs. Thompson has been a cooperating teacher to five student teachers from SUNY Fredonia, and she is a mentor to some of the new teachers in the district.
This instructor has been an active member of the Teaching American History (TAH) program since its inception in 2003, and she currently serves as the Cultural Organizer of the Western Southern Tier Council of the Social Studies. Also, she is a member of the Ripley Grange Scholarship Committee, the Ripley PTO School Liaison, and Vice President of the Ripley Education Association, which she formerly served as Secretary.
Mrs. Thompson was the leader of the “Page Turners” reading club, and she participated in the McTeacher Night fund raiser for the RCS Elementary Playground. As evidence of her strong school spirit, she annually assists with planning and conducting the high school “Battle of the Classes” during Homecoming Spirit Week, and she frequently dons an eagle costume and serves as the RCS mascot at many school events.
Ripley Central High School Principal Ms. Susan Hammond stated, “Mrs. Thompson consistently demonstrates great pride in her work as a teacher. What new content and approaches to teaching she has learned through her years of participation with the Teaching American History program she has readily incorporated into her lessons. Often she strives to develop lessons which are integrated with literature, and certainly she works to keep her lessons of high interest to the students. In addition, Mrs. Thompson is a positive role model for our students, since she consistently exhibits civility, school spirit, and service to others.”
Ripley Central proudly recognizes Mrs. Rhonda Thompson for her “Teacher of the Year” honor, and is grateful to her for the many contributions she has made both in and out of the classroom.
