Congratulations to Tommy Smigiel, Norfolk Public Schools 2007 Teacher of the Year!Norfolk Public Schools is proud to announce Thomas Smigiel, an Earth Science and Leadership teacher at Norview High School, as the 2007 Teacher of the Year. Thomas was selected during the Annual Teacher of the Year Dinner on March 22 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. He received a monetary award of $500, a Dell laser printer, an acrylic award, a gold medal and a bouquet of red roses to honor his accomplishments.
Thomas was one of twelve semi-finalists and selected as the overall High School Teacher of the Year. Mary Frank, a 6th-grade English teacher at Blair Middle School, was chosen as the Middle School Teacher of the Year, and Sarah Hillian, a K-5 Communications Skills Teacher at Larrymore Elementary School, is the Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
The remaining nine semi-finalists are Jessica Austin, Northside Middle School; Sheila Ann Clark, Booker T. Washington High School; Terri Clark, Lake Taylor Middle School; Patricia Costis, Dreamkeeper’s Academy; Camilla Goldman, St. Helena Elementary School; June Hartig, Taylor Elementary School; Ginger Rothermel, Poplar Halls Elementary School; Susan Staub, Jacox Elementary School; and Cryshel Whitehead, Granby High School. Each semi-finalist received a silver, engraved Jefferson cup and a laser pointer, compliments of ESI, Inc. to recognize their distinguished honor.
Thomas is a 1996 graduate of Norview High School and returned to teach at his alma mater for the last seven years. "Tommy" as he is affectionately called, is a true advocate for our children. He sets high expectations for all students and then goes about designing creative lesson plans that impart powerful literacy. He has earned the respect of students, colleagues, parents, and others in the profession.
Tommy is listed in "Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers" and was recognized as a multiple NPS School Bell Award winner. He is involved in many extracurricular programs in the school and believes that the teacher’s role extends far beyond the four walls of the classroom. Thomas states, "I want my students to leave my classroom understanding that they control their learning. I empower them to connect their learning with real-life situations."
The 2007 Teacher of the Year understands that today’s students must be equipped to think critically and be able to make decisions, act with social conscience, and act responsibly. Tommy is an excellent candidate to represent our school system for the Virginia Teacher of the Year competition.
