Bunkley is District Teacher of the Year

By Carrie A. Mizell

A high school student does not have to be the best reader to excel in Brandy Bunkley’s class at Bell High School; they just have to try hard.
Bunkley’s talent as a high school reading teacher was acknowledged on Monday when she was named District Teacher of the Year.
“Brandy is the teacher that 20 years from now a kid will say, ‘I had Mrs. Bunkley and she’s the reason I have this job today,’” said Lisa Barry, assistant principal at Bell High School.
Bunkley was named District Teacher of the Year at the Trenton Rotary Club meeting earlier this week, after being selected Bell High School’s Teacher of the Year. Bunkley was selected as District Teacher of the Year after being interviewed by a panel of out-of-county judges, who also interviewed the teachers of the year from the other three schools in the county. Bell Elementary School was represented by Teacher of the Year Sandra Carawan, who is a 4th grade teacher at BES. According to Linda Gartin, assistant principal at BES, Carawan wears many different hats at the school, including being the safety patrol sponsor and coordinator of the 21st Century program.
“She does not sleep!” Gartin said. “My daughter says she’s the greatest math teacher ever.”

Teachers of the Year from each school were honored on Monday. Pictured back row, l-r: Jay Jolicoeur, TES principal; Lynette Langford, THS principal; Linda Gartin, BES assistant principal; Lisa Barry, BHS assistant principal; and Don Thomas, superintendent. Front row, l-r: Teachers of the Year Krista Perryman, Wanda Clemons, Sandra Carawan and Brandy Bunkley.

Trenton Elementary School was represented by Teacher of the Year Krista Perryman. According to TES Principal Jay Jolicoeur, Perryman is not only a talented teacher, but she is also in charge of the school’s drama program, which produces two major productions each year.
Wanda Clemons has logged over 30 years working in the Gilchrist County School District. According to Trenton High School Principal Lynnette Langford, Clemons is passionate about children and learning.
It seems only fitting that Clemons, who recently retired, would represent Trenton High School as Teacher of the Year.
In winning District Teacher of the Year, Bunkley was awarded a plaque and a $500 check from Saint Leo University.
School District Office employee Linda Perry was selected District Employee of the Year. A fiscal clerk who works with M.I.S. and food service, Perry has taken food service from being in the red to making a profit, explained BillieJo Bible, personnel specialist in human resources for the Gilchrist County School District.
“It is an honor to work in this school district,” Perry said, while accepting a plaque and $250 check from V & I Maintenance Corp. “I live in another district, so I can truly say it’s a pleasure to work here.”
Perry was chosen District Employee of the Year from a group of dedicated Employees of the Year representing area schools and the district office. Employee of the Year Lori Summers represented Trenton Elementary School.
“If I could use just one word to describe Lori, it would be Amazing!” said Jay Jolicoeur, principal of Trenton Elementary School. “She is a perfectionist and always the first one to volunteer. I don’t know what I would do without her.”
Trenton High School was represented by Employee of the Year John Rowe, Jr., who has coached the girls’ basketball team for seven years. Rowe works in the ISS room and covers middle school lunchroom duty.
Guidance Clerk Pam Powell is not only a welcoming face in Bell High School’s front office; she is also the school’s Employee of the Year. According to Lisa Barry, assistant principal at BHS, Powell sincerely likes everyone who comes in the door and has a special way of welcoming new students and calming upset parents. She is the junior class sponsor and also works middle school lunch duty.
Bell Elementary School was represented by Employee of the Year Deanna Fowler. She runs the computer lab, oversees Accelerated Reader and always has a good attitude, explained Linda Gartin, assistant principal at BES.
Superintendent Don Thomas thanked the Trenton Rotary Club for once again sponsoring the District Teacher of the Year and District Employee of the Year awards. Thomas praised the Gilchrist County School District employees, saying they are the reason the school district has been named fifth in the state of Florida.