• SLPS names Reading Teacher of the Year

     Reading TOY

    Timberly Walton, recipient of the Dolores B. Malcolm 1st–5th Grade Classroom Reading Teacher of the Year Award, and Sheila Smith-Anderson, executive director of the St. Louis Public Schools Curriculum & Instruction Division

    Posted: Thursday, December 5, 2013 6:00 am

    By American staff | 0 comments

    St. Louis Public Schools has presented the 2013 Dolores B. Malcolm 1st–5th Grade Classroom Reading Teacher of the Year Award to an energetic educator who has helped her students achieve considerable academic growth during her time at Lexington Elementary.

    Timberly Walton, a fifth grade teacher at Lexington Elementary, has been recognized as the St. Louis Public School District’s Dolores B. Malcolm 1st–5th Grade Classroom Reading Teacher of the Year for implementing a variety of teaching strategies to optimize and enhance her students’ reading abilities.

    “There are not enough instructional hours in a day that can amount to the time Timberly spends with her students,” said Myra Pendleton, principal of Lexington Elementary. “She gives up planning and personal time to counsel, encourage and congratulate.”

    In 2005, Walton joined Lexington Elementary as a student teacher and was quickly hired as a third grade teacher – a position she held until 2009, when she moved to Georgia. In 2011, Walton returned to St. Louis and Lexington Elementary. She now teaches fifth grade.

    “Ms. Walton is very successful with struggling readers and has strongly contributed to Lexington achieving academic success,” said Lana Turner-Wilson, the school’s academic instructional coach.

    “Ms. Walton’s instructional expertise contributed to Lexington achieving Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2005, 2008, and 2009. Upon her return to Lexington, 5th grade Reading and English Language Arts scores have steadily increased on State and District assessments. Lexington Elementary School has achieved full accreditation for the 2013 state assessment.”

    The Dolores B. Malcolm 1st–5th Grade Classroom Reading Teacher of the Year was honored with an awards reception and presented with a $1,000 award from Follett School Solutions. She also received a trophy, a plaque, and a $500 award for related education materials through the Parsons Blewett Memorial Fund.

    To earn the Dolores B. Malcolm 1st–5th Grade Classroom Reading Teacher of the Year Award, nominees must explain their teaching philosophy and approach to teaching; be recommended by an administrator and a professional colleague; and complete an interview process.

    This award bears the name of Dolores B. Malcolm, a retired SLPS administrator, who was the first Missourian elected to the International Reading Association (IRA) Board of Directors and the first Missourian to serve as the IRA’s president.