Best-Mannered Teacher In Wicomico County

Best-mannered teacher finalists named

Four teachers from Wicomico County have been named finalists for the Best-Mannered Teacher Award the 2009-2010 school year.

The finalists were announced by Ann Wiseman, director of the Eastern Shore Chapter of the National League of Junior Cotillions. The teachers were nominated by students in the cotillion class as best exemplifying the etiquette and manners that they were learning in their local cotillion classes every month.

The teacher finalists include two from Salisbury Middle School, Rebekah Badaki and Ronald Dyda, plus Debbie Traum of St. Frances de Sales School; and Deana Williams of Bennett Middle School. The winner of the Best-Mannered Teacher Award, one of the above, will be announced at the Eastern Shore Chapter’s Grand Spring Ball being held on Friday, April 30, in Salisbury.

Ann Wiseman, director of the Eastern Shore Chapter of the National League of Junior Cotillions, said, “The students in our program were excited about being part of the selection process. They wanted to honor teachers who exemplify the etiquette and manners being taught in our program.”

Those receiving the awards were nominated by Junior Cotillion students who wrote an essay about a teacher in their school who met the criteria including their positive characteristics, how the teacher shows courtesy and respect for students, and why the person is a good role model. According to Mrs. Wiseman, “These special teachers are those who treated the students with respect and instilled a love of learning which will continue to have a positive effect on the students’ performance throughout their school years.”

Mrs. Badaki is completing her 10th year of teaching social studies at Salisbury Middle School and currently working on an education administration graduate degree at Salisbury University. Mr. Dyda has been a math teacher at Salisbury Middle School for 10 years and co-chairs the school’s student leadership group, Lead Out Loud.

Mrs. Williams, a 13-year teacher of reading and language arts at Bennett Middle School, graduated from SU in 1997 and received her reading specialist certification from there in 2002. The fourth finalist, Mrs. Traum, has been a fifth-grade teacher at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School for 10 years. Also a graduate of SU, she is currently attending Wilmington University’s graduate education program.

In commenting on the awards program, Dr. John Fredericksen, Wicomico County Superintendent of Schools, said, “Junior Cotillion provides young people with the opportunity to learn formal manners while young and to enjoy the benefits these behaviors can provide for a lifetime. The young people also have fun getting together in new surroundings and enjoying music, conversation, and dancing.” He added, “We’re proud of our young people who seek this opportunity, and we’re just as proud of the teachers whom these students have identified as having the best manners. These teachers are setting a wonderful example for our students.”

The National League of Junior Cotillions is an etiquette and social dance training program which involves thousands of young people nationwide. Students learn the customs and courtesies that will serve them for a lifetime. Topics covered include table manners, writing thank notes, and responding to formal invitations, and many other social skills, including the basics of ballroom dancing. Most importantly, the students learn to feel comfortable in social situations.

For more information about the Eastern Shore Cotillion classes, call (410) 341-0065.