Bethesda Elementary School educator is 2007 DPS Teacher of the Year
May 2, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Fred Williams, Executive Director
Teacher Recruitment and Retention, 560-2298
Bethesda Elementary School educator is 2007 DPS Teacher of the Year
DURHAM—Amy Senta, a fourth-grade teacher at Bethesda Elementary School, is the 2007 SunTrust Gold Star Teacher of the Year for Durham Public Schools.
Senta is in her fifth year of teaching at Bethesda, where she has spent her entire teaching career thus far. She also has taught kindergarten, first and third grade there.
The foundation of teaching is a “complex dance” that Senta sees as being able to assess the level of understanding a student has, then deciding how to help him or her advance. A good learning environment is essential, along with helping students develop a sense of “self-efficacy,” and helping them to become lifelong learners.
“No contribution is as rewarding as seeing the children in my classroom succeed and grow,” Senta stated. “Each day, I have the privilege of witnessing them become constructive members of society, reaffirming my belief that I am working towards reducing social inequalities in the most genuine and reliable way – one student at a time.”
In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Senta has planned and organized special events, recruited school volunteers and facilitated corporate support for Bethesda.
Senta holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and education from Dartmouth College.
“Amy Senta is a true inspiration to her students, their parents and especially to her fellow teachers,” said Superintendent Carl E. Harris. “We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Senta and we hold her up as yet another fine example of the level of quality that Durham Public Schools expects – and receives – from our teachers.”
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