Congratulations are in order for Mrs. Carolyn Thieme and Mrs. Alyssa Walton. They were recognized by The Genesis Group, a civic and community organization dedicated to adaptive leadership to meet new challenges and to create a positive and transformational impact in the Mohawk Valley region. Mrs. Thieme and Mrs. Walton were each presented with an award by The Genesis Group, on Thursday, November 16th. Below is information that was presented on Mrs. Thieme and Mrs. Walton’s nomination forms:
Mrs. Carolyn Thieme and Mrs. Alyssa Walton are two exceptional educators who are deserving of the 2023 Genesis Education Award. Carolyn and Alyssa have been teaching first grade together for the past five years. Carolyn and Alyssa have left an indelible mark on their students’ lives and the entire school community.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Carolyn and Alyssa’s teaching journey began in the 2018-19 school year when the first-grade team underwent a transition in faculty members. Carolyn and Alyssa quickly developed a strong bond and dabbled with team teaching. This journey was forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the pandemic and restrictions, both Carolyn and Alyssa forged ahead and were able to return to team teaching in the 2021-22 school year, albeit only for science and social studies. Despite the formidable challenges posed by the pandemic, they successfully implemented this innovative teaching approach. Research has shown that team teaching has a positive impact on student learning and achievement by fostering a diverse range of instructional techniques and promoting personalized attention. The synergy created by Carolyn and Alyssa’s collaboration has undoubtedly enhanced the educational experience of their students.
In the 2022-23 school year, Carolyn and Alyssa embarked on an even more ambitious venture by team teaching all first-grade students (45 of them) together in one classroom space for all instruction. Their dedication and implementation of science of reading best practices resulted in a remarkable 50% increase in reading abilities among the students. At the start of the year, only 5% of their students were reading on or above grade level, but by year-end, an astounding 55% of the students had reached or exceeded grade-level reading proficiency. These statistics stand as a testament to their effective teaching practices and unwavering commitment to student success.
Mrs. Carolyn Thieme and Mrs. Alyssa Walton are an extraordinary team who have left an indelible mark on their students’ academic and personal growth. It is without a doubt that Carolyn and Alyssa are deserving recipients of the 2023 Genesis Education Award. Their passion, dedication, and innovative teaching methods have not only shaped the future of the students they serve but has also inspired the entire educational community.
Thanks goes to Mrs. Thieme and Mrs. Walton for all their contributions to the Morrisville-Eaton Central School District. Congratulations on this recognition!