VBCPS 2002 Foreign Languages Teachers of the Year Selected The Selection Committee for Outstanding Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools has chosen Heide Hackworth, French and German teacher at Green Run High School, the 2002 Outstanding Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year. In addition, Spanish teacher at Corporate Landing and Landstown middle schools Wanda Carrasquillo was named the 2002 Outstanding Foreign Languages "Rookie" Teacher of the Year. The surprise announcements were made at the annual Foreign Languages Recognition Dinner held on April 18, 2002. According to Maria Still, foreign languages coordinator, "This is the eighth consecutive year that we have recognized a foreign languages teacher of the year at a celebratory banquet, and the sixth consecutive year we have named a rookie foreign languages teacher of the year. I am delighted to be able to shine the spotlight on some of our very gifted teachers and give them the recognition they richly deserve." Still points out that "the Recognition Dinner" is a special occasion unique to the school year in that all foreign languages teachers are honored for their many contributions to their school and the community. The highlight of the evening is always the naming of the teacher of the year and the rookie first-year teacher. John Mueller, a German teacher at Tallwood High School, was the master of ceremonies of the event while Mina Rodriguez, a Spanish teacher at Landstown High School and former rookie first-year teacher, planned the celebration for the third consecutive year. Hackworth is a 14-year veteran teacher, with 13 of those years spent teaching in Virginia Beach. Currently, she teaches German I, II, IV, V, and French III at Green Run High School. She remarks, "Teaching is about more than sharing knowledge...As a secondary school teacher, I believe that my job is to help students learn how to learn and to value learning. Teachers, when they do their jobs well, help students discover numerous options and develop critical thinking skills." Hackworth, a Career Teacher, holds numerous leadership positions in the school division that include sponsoring events and clubs, serving as a presenter at conferences, and being a teacher-mentor to fellow German teachers. In addition, she is a member of numerous professional organizations and school and division committees. Hackworth now advances to the state foreign languages teacher of the year competition. Rookie teacher of the year went to first-year teacher Wanda Carrasquillo who teaches Spanish at Corporate Landing and Landstown middle schools. According to her mentor teacher Graciela Finley at Landstown Middle School, Carrasquillo's teaching is marked by her professionalism, her understanding of her students, and her appreciation of the fact that she learns with her students. She also has attended numerous academic conferences during the year, serves as the co-sponsor for the Landstown Middle School Spanish Club, and holds professional memberships in the Foreign Language Mentorship Program and the National Parent-Teachers Association. For more information about the 2002 Foreign Languages Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year, please call Maria Still, foreign languages coordinator, at 427-4464. ###