Deborah R. Costner, an Exceptional Children Teacher at Township Three Elementary School has been selected as the Cleveland County Schools’ 2009 EC Teacher of Excellence.
In the classroom, Mrs. Costner demonstrates leadership skills within the classroom, school, school system, and community. "She is an instructional leader who uses diverse strategies, innovative techniques and promotes self determination in her students," says Principal Tropzie McCluney.
"She is a positive role model and exhibits character traits for her students and peers. Mrs. Costner assists classroom teachers by utilizing effective accommodations and closely monitors student progress."
Mrs. Costner is known for organizing her “special after-school” tutor group and has been a pioneer in special education. within our school system and was a pacesetter in our county EC “Inclusion” program.
Under her leadership, Township Three was one of the first schools to teach exceptional children in the regular classroom using a team approach. Mrs. Costner is always eager to be on the “cutting edge” of educational innovation and always demonstrates a positive attitude when it comes to new instructional programs and/or training. She enjoys collecting tools in her “bag of teaching tricks.”
Mrs. Costner has received special recognition from Cleveland County Schools as an AGAPE winner and has been recognized by our community’s Wal-Mart Distribution Center as “Teacher of the Year.”
She has taught adult high school for nine years and helped many of her EC parents receive their diplomas. Mrs. Costner reaches out to parents through phone calls, school conferences, and home visits establishing a partnership of trust.
According to EC Director Nellie Aspel, "Mrs. Costner inspires her students to believe that they can do anything they want to do. Due to personal challenges she faces, she is able to serve as a strong role model for her students. She shows students that they can dream big and overcome any obstacle to achieve their goals."
"Mrs. Costner will go the “extra mile” for students to taste success. She wants her students to feel supported and secure in their abilities. Every day she faces many challenges, but Mrs. Costner is one who starts each day with a positive attitude which extends to all who cross her path."
Mrs. Costner received her BS from Western Carolina University and her M.Ed. from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is certified to teach children with intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, emotional-behavior disabilities and those who are academically gifted. She uses Reading Mastery and SRA Number Worlds (both research-based programs) to develop reading and math skills in her students. Also, she is Orton certified, and applies strategies to meet individualized needs of her students. |
Deborah Costner (center), 2009 EC Teacher of the Year is congratulated by Tropzie McCluney (left), Principal at Township Three and Dr. Nellie Aspel (right), Director of Exceptional Children.
Individual School
EC Teachers of Excellence
Danna Lyb Floyd
Burns High School
Elizabeth Alice McSwain
Burns Middle School
Angela Thrift Safrit
Crest High School
Heather Eaker
Crest Middle School
Deborah Davi
Fallston
Heather H. Halbert
Graham
Tricia Martin Whitaker
Grover
Kendra Sue Woods
Kings Mountain Intermediate
Donna Mann Cannon
Kings Mountain Middle
Shi Jennifer Whisnan
North Shelby
Heather Rochelle Lemmon
Shelby Middle School
Hope Binion
Springmore
Deborah R. Costne
Township Three
Bet Ausborn
Turning Point
Katie McSwain Barbee
Union
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