As the CCS Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Sigmon received $1,000 from Wachovia Bank and the Wachovia Foundation and the use of a new Ford Fusion from Keeter Ford Lincoln Mercury for a year. Wachovia has recognized a local Teacher of the Year with its Ben Craig Outstanding Educator Award for a number of years. The award also includes a hand-worked glass apple with silver veils created by N.C. artist Gilbert Johnson. This is the fourth year that Keeter Motors has provided an automobile to the county’s top teacher. Education Station of Shelby also donated $500 in gift certificates to the teachers of the year including $100 to Mrs. Sigmon and $15 to the teacher of the year from every school. The Cleveland County YMCA also will give Mrs. Sigmon a year’s membership in recognition of this honor.

Mrs. Sigmon is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and currently is a graduate student there. Certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Mrs. Sigmon and her husband, David, reside in Cherryville. She is in her eighth year in the classroom – teaching first grade this year, but she also has taught kindergarten and second grades.  A former teacher at Fallston Elementary, this is her third year at Washington Elementary.

Teachers of the year from every school were recognized at the convocation at GWU. Finalists for CCS Teacher of the Year were Marlene Peeler of  Bethware Elementary, Rhonda M. Hamrick of Boiling Springs Elementary, Miranda Spangler of Fallston Elementary, Windy Phillips of North Elementary, Linda King of Crest Middle School, Phyllis Clark of Crest High and Lynda Woods of North Shelby School.