Position: Sixth Grade ELA Teacher
School: Clifton Ridge Middle School
School District: Jones County School System
City, State: Macon, GA
Penni Vandemark was nominated by an anonymous colleague.
"Penni Vandemark is a phenomenal teacher," her nominator said. "She has dedicated many years to the profession. When she first joined Clifton Ridge Middle School, we were skeptical because she often carries a serious expression, but she has proven to be a tremendous asset to the sixth grade. That serious expression is deceptive, and her humor sneaks up on you. She is committed to doing what is best for the students, even when it doesn’t benefit her."
"Penni has been a team player from the beginning," her nominator continued. "I have been proud to have her not only as a colleague, but as one of my own children’s teachers. She plans creative lessons and works diligently to keep students engaged in Language Arts. Many students struggle with the subject area, but she is committed to narrowing that achievement gap for students. She builds strong relationships with her students and colleagues. She has many of the admirable qualities that make teachers great, and I am proud to work along with her at CRMS."