Elizabeth Carruthers received the Rosalyn Tanner Orr Mentor of the Year Award

Contact: Laurie Hogan (336) 370-8307
Created: 5/27/2010 7:51:33 PM

To ease the transition into a new school year for beginning teachers, veteran educators throughout Guilford County Schools serve an important and necessary role as mentors. These experienced teachers assist with lesson plans, classroom management and teaching strategies while helping rookie teachers become acclimated to their new environment.

In celebration of her dedication to two new teachers, Elizabeth Carruthers, teacher at Erwin Montessori, was named the Rosalyn Tanner Orr Mentor of the Year. Carruthers was nominated by her mentees Athena Burnette and Casey Tinkham, who say she has provided them with advice and guidance to help them become more confident teachers.

Each year, GCS recognizes a veteran teacher with the Mentor of the Year award. This year, the award is named in memory of Rosalyn Tanner Orr, who was the executive director of The Barnabas Network in Greensboro. She worked tirelessly to help families and children without homes find shelter and stability, and she valued the relationships of teaching mentors and mentees. The award was formerly named for Dr. Martha A. Sharpless.

The finalists included Nicole Abell from Page High, Melissa Cowie from Southwest Middle, Kevin Fuehler from the Mell-Burton school run by the United Way and Raquel Robinson from McIver Education Center. Carruthers received $1,000 for winning the award, and the remaining finalists received $100 each. The beginning teachers who nominated each of the finalists received a $50 gift card for educational supplies. The award is made possible by the Endowment for Excellence in Education of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.