Steve Cordle
ECB Publishing, Inc
On Monday, Nov. 16, Jefferson-Somerset announced their teachers of the year and employee of the year for the 2020-2021 school year. It's an honor to receive such recognition, congratulations to the winners.
Indy Mack, Elementary Teacher of the Year
Indy Mack's bio states that she "hails from the great county of Jefferson." Mack graduated from Jefferson High in 1988, then went on to receive her bachelors and masters in Elementary Education from Florida A& M University. Mack said that "It has always been my dream to become a teacher.’ Currently, Mack teaches third grade but says she has ‘done it all in my 28 years of teaching.’ I truly believe that ‘Knowledge is Power’ [because] the more you know, the more opportunities you have.” It is Mack’s greatest desire to empower her students with knowledge, so that they can reach their goals; they can dream big and accomplish bigger. Congratulations, Ms. Mack!
Stefanie Prevatt, Middle-High School Teacher of the Year
Stefanie Prevatt is the agriculture program leader, FFA advisor and eighth-grade science teacher at Jefferson County K-12: A Somerset School. Prevatt has been with Jefferson-Somerset for three years, transitioning from an eight-year career in 4-H with the University of Florida and Ohio State University.
This is Prevatt's first position as a formal classroom teacher. Her work as an extension agent molded her skills and led to her ability to step with ease into her role as a teacher.
Prevatt said that she "strives to teach youth how to be passionate, committed, contributing citizens who care about the communities in which they live." Through teaching, she uses classroom experiences with real-world scenarios and hands-on activities to help students find their passion and use their voice. Prevatt believes all students can learn and creates experiences that allow students to succeed.
Prevatt is fortunate to be the agriculture teacher at Jefferson Somerset, which allows her the opportunity to immerse students into the industry through fun lab experiences. Students are currently growing their fall vegetables, awaiting harvest to enjoy the fruits of their labor. FFA members have created a food drive and will donate canned goods and non-perishables to two local organizations to give back to the community. Thanks to the wide-ranging community and administrative support, Prevatt and her students have an agriculture lab. They are anxiously awaiting a brand-new greenhouse, which will be used to prepare students for various CTE certifications.
Prevatt teaches because she believes she can "make a change in the life of each of her students." She is thankful to be part of the Jefferson Somerset family and have the opportunity to make a positive change in Jefferson County.
Prevatt is a 2006 graduate of Kent State University, where she received her B.A. in History and a 2009 graduate of the University of Florida, where she received her M.S. in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. She has hopes and dreams of completing her Ph.D., but as for right now, they are dreams. Congratulations, Ms. Prevatt!
Teresa Madison-Precia Somerset Employee of the Year
Teresa Madison-Precia was born and raised in Monticello, a product of the public schools as well. She is the daughter of Sam and Mary Madison. Teresa and her husband, Dwayne, have been married for three years and have three children: Jada, Xacarri and Madison. She has two brothers, Reginald and Sam Jr.
Madison-Precia has been in the education profession for over 20 years as a substitute teacher and is currently a paraprofessional at Jefferson-Somerset where she has worked for seven years.
Madison-Precia earned her bachelor of science in elementary education from Benedict College in Columbia, S.C. “I enjoy working with kids,” she said, “as a child growing up, I always liked to play school and I was always the teacher.” While growing up, she would often visit her mother’s classroom and help her students.
Madison-Precia stated a simple philosophy: “all children can learn and achieve when given the opportunity to display his or her abilities and talents. Her future plans include furthering her education, “After all,” she says, “learning never stops.” Congratulations, Ms. Madison-Precia!
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