This month, veteran teachers Harold Shepard and Rhonda Wester were recognized with Excellence in Education awards.

The Excellence in Education program recognizes teachers from Haywood County Schools who exemplify a commitment to innovative teaching practices and show dedication to student success. The program is sponsored by Jack Bishop of Edward Jones and the Haywood County Schools Foundation (HCSF).

“Our Edward Jones office is honored to be able to recognize Haywood County’s outstanding teachers,” Bishop said. “Our students are receiving a world-class education from some of the most talented teachers in the state.”

Over the course of 16 years, Shepard has taught Haywood County Schools students everything from middle school English to high school biology. He currently teaches science and history courses at Pisgah High School, where he has worked the past nine years.

Shepard’s teaching approach is hands-on, and his students have become accustomed to walking in the classroom and hearing Shepard say “let’s take a field trip.”

“On any given day, we may go outside to get into revolutionary war skirmish lines or to the river to test water or spend time conducting junior archaeology to discover pottery in local fields,” Shepard explained. “I am constantly looking for ways to help my students relate to the subject matter better.”

Shepard said one of the best learning experiences he planned for his students was retracing the Rutherford Trace Trail, the 1776 campaign of Gen. Griffith Rutherford whose army marched from Old Fort through the Bethel community, burning 52 Cherokee towns.

“Because of my ‘drop-what-we-are-doing-and-lets-go-look’ style, to the untrained eye my room looks like an unstructured mess, but I have been very lucky to have principals and administration to allow me to develop and grow as a teacher,” Shepard said. “More importantly, it has made students enjoy coming to class and learning something new.”

Just across the river at Canton Middle School, sixth grade students are learning reading and English skills and solving math problems in Wester’s class. Wester, who has been teaching for 18 years, challenges her Exceptional Children (EC) students to become better students and community members.

“I love teaching because my work has a purpose,” Wester said with a smile. “I get the opportunity to touch the lives of students and contribute to making their future one that is bright and productive.”

Although Wester has been teaching for a long time, she says that each day is different and never boring with her students.

“When you love what you do, not only will you make a difference in your students’ lives, but you will make a difference in your own as well,” Wester said.

Wester said she works tirelessly to ensure that her classroom is a safe harbor for students and that they are loved and accepted.

“Mr. Shepard and Ms. Wester are two examples of the great teachers that are working for Haywood County Schools,” Haywood County Schools Foundation Executive Director Jenny Wood Valliere said. “We are so happy to publicly recognize their efforts with the Excellence in Education program.”

Each month, up to three teachers from the 15 Haywood County Schools are recognized with an Excellence in Education award. Award winners are presented with a certificate and a $100 check sponsored by Bishop.