Each year, the principals from the North Canton City Schools nominate two educators to represent the district as Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year. The teachers are selected based on excellence in teaching and their overall commitment to their students and the district.
Curriculum Director Mrs. Peggy Savage said she believes this year’s nominees are both excellent teachers and are very deserving of the nomination.
“I was so excited to be able to write their nomination letters because I have worked with both of them and seen what amazing teachers and people they are,” she said. “We’re very proud to have them as our representatives.”
Mrs. Ogilvie
Newspaper advisor, English and journalism teacher Mrs. Rachelle Ogilvie received this year’s nomination for North Canton Rookie Teacher of the Year. Ogilvie said she is excited to be recognized.
“It’s an honor,” she said. “I can’t even put it into words. [North Canton] is an amazing district with amazing teachers in every school.”
One of Ogilvie’s current journalism students, junior Chelsea Roden, said she feels Ogilvie deserved the nomination.
“I was excited for her,” Roden said. “I feel like she deserves it.”
Roden said she thinks Ogilvie’s sense of humor and the stories she shares with her classes help to make her a good teacher.
Junior Marsha Duff, who is currently taking journalism and had Ogilvie for English last year, agreed.
“When I had her last year, I thought she was a great teacher,” Duff said. “She really does a lot to help her students out.”
Roden agrees and said Ogilvie’s accessibility as a teacher is something she values.
“She’s not just a journalism or English teacher,” she said. “She wants to help you as a teacher in general. She’s sympathetic if you’re having a horrible day and she’ll help you with other English assignments.”
Duff said Ogilvie’s positive attitude and understanding are some of her best qualities as a teacher.
“She seems like she’s always happy,” Duff said.
Savage agreed and said Ogilvie connects with her students.
“She has a way with students and an incredible knowledge base,” she said
Ogilvie said she feels the nomination for Rookie Teacher of the Year is a reward for the success she had in meeting the demands of her job last year.
“‘The Viking Views’ was very successful last year, and I think the administration noticed that,” she said.
Ogilvie said she believes her love for both journalism and literature is what makes her a valuable asset to Hoover.
“I’m extremely passionate about what I do,” she said. “I love journalism and I love literature, and when I combined my passion with teaching, it just seemed perfect.”
Roden agreed.
“She has the energy and passion to give me a true interest in journalism,” she said.
Mrs. Thoman
Special Education instructor Mrs. Patti Thoman was this year’s North Canton Teacher of the Year nominee.
“It’s a great honor,” she said.
Thoman has been teaching in the district for 28 years, but has only been at Hoover for the last three. Thoman said she thinks her tenure in the district has given her an opportunity to establish herself as a teacher.
“I’ve done a lot of things since I’ve been in North Canton,” she said.
In just her three years at Hoover, Thoman has created the WOW Program, which she said has made her students more visible in the community and the recent addition of Hoover’s Hot Spot has given them more responsibility.
“I felt that my students deserved more, so I’ve tried to create programs for them,” she said. “I think that’s what the administration sees.”
Savage agreed.
“We all believe she has made an incredible difference in the lives of her students,” Savage said. “She is the epitome of an excellent teacher.”
Interpreter Mrs. Debbie Leach said that Thoman is very deserving of the nomination.
“I’m so excited for her,” Leach said. “She’s crazy about these kids and I think her love for them is evident.”
Thoman said she believes her students are the main reason she received the nomination.
“It’s easy to teach when you have great students,” she said
One of Thoman’s students, sophomore Tristan Young, said he also thinks Thoman deserves the nomination.
“She really is a great teacher,” he said.
Leach said one of Thoman’s best qualities as a teacher is her willingness to learn.
“What’s wonderful about her is that she doesn’t pretend she knows everything,” she said. “She’s not above learning something new. If one of her students asks her a question she doesn’t know the answer to, she will Google it and give them the best answer she can.”
Thoman said while she has been recognized within the Special Education community before, this is a different experience for her.
“North Canton is top-notch,” she said. “It’s such an honor to be able to represent the community. I feel truly blessed to be a part of it.”