-= NMSU PANORAMA - Winter 2006 =- Aggie Whirl: Alumni Shine in the Classroom

Aggie Whirl

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› Alumni Shine in the Classroom

Alumni Shine in the Classroom

By Jenna R. Frosch

Ana Nuñez

Five New Mexico State University College of Education graduates teaching in the Gadsden Independent School District - Vernalynn Andrews '99, Jim Coyle '91 '02, Ana Nuñez '89, Sheri Rees '95 and Terry Whitener '95 - were chosen as the top five teachers of the year for their efforts in education.

Ana Nuñez was chosen from the top five as the Teacher of the Year.

Nuñez received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from NMSU and has taught at San Miguel Elementary for 11 years. Nuñez says she has been interested in education since she was very young and was inspired by her teachers growing up to become a teacher. Nuñez plans to continue her education by receiving her master's of arts degree in reading/literacy.

Andrews received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from NMSU and is a first-grade dual-language teacher at La Mesa Elementary. She describes herself as a "lifelong learner" and is currently working on her master's in curriculum and instruction with a reading endorsement. Andrews also teaches a space science after-school program to third- and fourth-grade students at La Mesa.

Coyle received both a bachelor's degree in secondary education and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from NMSU. He has taught at Gadsden Middle School for 14 years. Coyle says he likes to "create and/or use lessons that call a student to use a variety of his/her abilities/talents to be successful."

Rees received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from NMSU and has taught at Desert View Elementary for 10 years. She says she has wanted to become a teacher since her junior year of high school and started her career as a teacher assistant her senior year. Rees says watching her students become "independent young adults" makes her job worthwhile.

Whitener received a degree in agriculture and extension education from NMSU and has taught at Gadsden High School for 10 years. He says he believes his "students should be treated as though they are already the person they are capable of becoming." He also says his teaching philosophy is similar to farming in that his field is the students' minds and the seeds are the experiences he provides.

The teachers are chosen by a committee composed of teachers and representatives from classified personnel, parents, business partners and student leaders.

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