Teacher at Jack Britt High School Snatches the Title

“Connecting with kids just seems easy…that is the jackpot I regard as being priceless --- the kid connection,” said Cumberland County Schools’ 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year (TOY) Denise E. Nosbisch, a teacher of English, journalism, and leadership at Jack Britt High School. “…I can say with pride that, in general, my students like me, enjoy my class, and most importantly, learn. I make it a point to find some connection to every student who walks through my door. When those students leave (my classroom), I hope that not only do they feel good about themselves, but they feel good about being at school.”

The announcement of the 2010-2011 Cumberland County Schools’ (CCS) Teacher of the Year came during the annual dinner in the Crown Center Ballroom on Monday evening, September 13. The presentation was made in front of all the Teacher-of-the-Year candidates, their guests, school administrators, and School Board members.

During Nosbisch’s 12 years of teaching, she has been affiliated with numerous professional organizations and has taken advantage of various professional development opportunities.

The University of Northern Iowa graduate admits that she “spent the first 23 years of her life determined not to be a teacher” even though she was born into a family of educators. During her undergraduate career she declared English as her major with hopes of pursuing a career in communications and public relations. Even so, her mother, a long-time educator who still works as a middle school reading coach, convinced Nosbisch to teach. “While I abhorred the collegiate educational classes I had to take…I came home from my first day of student teaching in love with the profession. It was then, that I realized my parents had given me something money, from the highest paying job, couldn’t buy…For me, I can’t imagine any other profession. For me, my mom was right.”

Nosbisch, who is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in English with a concentration in Technical and Professional Communication from East Carolina University, has since enjoyed teaching and makes a conscious effort to provide a positive emotional climate in her classroom from the first day of school. “From that day forward, students in my class feel recognized,” said Nosbisch. “My enthusiasm has become contagious, and a relationship that reduces absenteeism makes discipline problems virtually non-existent and motivates (the students) for success.”

The veteran educator is also a strong advocate of technology being used in the classroom to reach and teach today’s students -- “technological digital natives.” “For our children today, technology touches every part of their existence—from their health and relationships to their entertainment and education,” said Nosbisch. “To remain competitive, it is imperative that our schools are equipped with the technology that will allow students to be successful adults in the 21st century, but is also important that our educators teach and model responsible media (technology) usage.” Nosbisch said she doesn’t think technology should replace the teacher, but empower him/her to do their job better and more efficiently. She sees technology helping to speed up the process of instruction, easing assessment overload, providing instantaneous individual feedback, but most importantly, allowing for differentiated instruction where teachers can customize assignments based on their students’ needs.

         As the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year, Nosbisch received:

• $500 from the Cumberland County Schools;

• $100 from the Cumberland County Education Foundation (CCEF);

• A one-year car lease from Reed-Lallier Chevrolet;

• A commemorative custom-designed CCS’ Teacher of the Year ring and a crystal award from Jostens;

• An engraved CCS’ Teacher of the Year watch from Herff Jones, Inc.; and

• A plaque and flowers from the Board of Education.

Other winners announced Monday evening were first runner-up Mary Ellen Lively from Massey Hill Classical High School who received $200, flowers, and an award and second runner-up Barbara Brady from Seventy-First Classical Middle School, who was presented with $100, flowers, and an award. The 10 district winners received Smart Response Paddles from the CCS’ Technology Department, an additional $100 from the CCS and the CCEF. All TOY candidates received $100 and two hours of C.E.U. credit.

Side Note: As Nosbisch goes on to pursue the Sandhills/South Central Regional Teacher of the Year title, she will be sharing ‘tidbits of teacher wisdom’ with her oldest son, who is currently working on his teaching practicum in Greenville, NC. The North Carolina Teaching Fellow recipient has chosen to follow in his mother’s footsteps.