She and her competitors were honored at a banquet this evening at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel.
“I have direct access to the beginning of the beginning of the next generation,” Bruggeman told the selection committee. She teaches a class of 18 three, four and five year-olds; the award-winning Preschool serves more than 180 families in a 5-star environment.
During the recognition ceremony at the Renaissance, outgoing teacher of the year Rhonda Sizemore acknowledged the work and dedication of the ACS teachers of the year finalists: (Brendan Harrington, School of Inquiry & Life Sciences at Asheville; Rocky Cunningham, Randolph Learning Center; Bill Van Cleve, Asheville High School, Teah Hartman, Claxton Elementary; “T J” Wright, Asheville Middle School; Shannon Montgomery, Vance Elementary; Melissa Boks, Ira B. Jones Elementary; Lisa Bruggeman, Asheville City Preschool; Laura Maynard Lane, Isaac Dickson Elementary; and Erica Engel, Hall Fletcher Elementary).
HomeTrust Bank serves as the presenting sponsor for the district’s teachers of the year program. “All of the employees of HomeTrust Bank join me in honoring and thanking our educators,” commented Dana L. Stonestreet, President and Chief Operating Officer. “Their dedication, energy and passion truly makes a difference and enriches the minds and spirits of our young people.”
The selection committee used the following criteria: experience, continuing education, participation in school-based and community activities, innovative approaches to curriculum, an extensive portfolio and a twenty-minute interview.
“We have an incredible group of teachers in Asheville City Schools,” said Superintendent Allen Johnson, “and that translates directly into steady improvements in academic achievement. This year every single district school met or exceeded expected academic growth.” Asheville Middle School teacher “T J” Wright, who teaches elective courses in technology, was named runner-up.
HomeTrust Bank presented Ms. Bruggeman with a $ 1,000 check. Asheville City Schools awarded her an I Pad, a professional development conference of her choice and tuition for enrollment in Leadership Asheville’s 2011-12 class.
She will now compete in the state’s Western Region, as part of North Carolina’s AT&T sponsored Teacher of the Year program.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Superintendent Allen Johnson
350-6145
Dr Robert McGrattan, Human Resources
350-6138
Preschool Director Debra Preneta
350-2900
Charlie Glazener
350-6120
Stacie Hicks, HomeTrust Bank Marketing Director
350-4145
About HomeTrust Bank
HomeTrust Bank is a mutually owned bank with an 84-year history of serving families and businesses in Western North Carolina. HomeTrust Bank offers a variety of home loans, consumer loans, checking accounts, Online Banking, and a broad range of investment options to help families build a secure financial future. The Bank also offers a full array of financial products designed especially for businesses.
HomeTrust Bank, Tryon Federal Bank, Shelby Savings Bank, Home Savings Bank, Rutherford County Bank and Industrial Federal Bank comprise the HomeTrust Banking Partnership. By combining their resources in Partnership, member institutions have expanded their ability to preserve hometown banking traditions with improved products and services, more convenient locations, and greater support for their local communities.
Together, the HomeTrust Banking Partnership has assets of over $1.6 billion and is the largest mutual bank headquartered in North Carolina and the 2nd largest in the Southeast.
HomeTrust Bank has offices in Buncombe, Henderson, and Haywood Counties. Tryon Federal Bank, Shelby Savings Bank, Home Savings Bank, Rutherford County Bank and Industrial Federal Bank have offices in Polk, Cleveland, Rockingham, Rutherford County and Davidson County, respectively.
