MARY BALDASANO / Special to the PVT Hafen Elementary's Jessica Jones is escorted forward by JROTC cadet Eddie Pinon as she prepares to accept her award as a Teacher of the Year. Advertisement

The 2008 Stand for Children Day celebration was held Saturday at the Rosemary Clarke Middle School.

Sponsored by St. Martin's in the Desert Episcopal Church and the Nye Communities Coalition, the event is specifically designed to recognize teachers who go above and beyond in the classroom.

These teachers do more than just "teach kids" -- they get the children more involved in the learning process and develop the means to provide more than the standard curriculum.

They believe there are many possibilities, you just have to find them.

Each school nominated and selected teachers from their staff who were worthy of recognition for their achievements.

Mt. Charleston Elementary School: Keele McDaniel.

J.G. Johnson Elementary School: Linda Sims.

Community Christian Academy: Dawn Alexander.

Pahrump Valley High School: Traci Cornelius.

Hafen Elementary School: Jessica Jones.

Manse Elementary School: Lin Steele.

Rosemary Clarke Middle School: Carol Hunn.

Jones was the first to receive her award and said, "I am extremely honored since I am only a second-year teacher of the third grade. It's very exciting. I didn't think I would get it." Jones has worked in a variety of ways, such as obtaining grant funds to open a book store for the children, obtaining donations from the Rotary Club to buy art supplies as a means to widen her curriculum, enhancing access to technology, and generally doing more than having them "read a book."

She also established the "Adopt a Classroom" Web site in order to obtain donations for her classes.

Lin Steele, who received her award as a result of doing instructional coaching with teachers, working with more children (including special education students), helping new teachers with lesson plans, and more; said, "I am honored to receive the award. It is just wonderful."

Dawn Alexander likes teaching younger children (second grade) because "they are so hungry to learn, they're excited ... I told my class that if I won, it would be because they are great kids."

She intends to keep teaching and will remain in Pahrump.

Between award presentations, students of all ages provided entertainment for the approximately 75 attendees.

Donna's Studio of Dance presented pre-ballet, Indian, clogging, tap, intermediate ballet, and pre-Indian. Scotty Winegar's little tappers had eyes as big as baseballs when on stage, but they were having a blast.

The Vagamond Shaolin Kung Fu School gave a colorful display of the techniques and mechanics of performing kung fu moves. The dragons, both big and small, were accompanied by a traditional style drummer.

Mt. Charleston Elementary School award winner Keele McDaniel said, "It feels wonderful to be recognized by your peers. It's especially strange when you just go and do what you love. I always try to keep a positive attitude."

McDaniel is the first-grade team facilitator. She developed the new "Race to Read" program. It gives students an incentive to read books by letting them win prizes.

McDaniel said, "The people and staff here at the school are wonderful. My classes are really great too. They told me they knew I would get the award because I am so kind, and always have a big smile on my face every morning."

Rosemary Clarke Middle School Teacher of the Year Carol Hunn said she was "flabbergasted" when told she had won.

Hunn has accomplished a lot in her second career. A former businesswoman, she has turned those talents toward becoming an extraordinary sixth-grade teacher.

With the help of her co-teacher, Susan Moore, Hunn developed, designed and created the textbook for the new integrated science curriculum which is now used throughout the district.

She also initiated the SHIELD (Surviving Hazards in Every Local Disaster) program in coordination with police, fire and medical groups. Other accomplishments include the development of a CPR program by obtaining the needed funds and instructors. She is a teacher of teachers and supervises UNLV student teachers.

In the past she has worked with the Weather Channel. To students considering teaching as a career, she says, "Teaching requires dedication, the ability to maintain discipline in the classroom, doing things outside the classroom, being a role model, and letting teaching become part of you."

Teacher of the Year at PVHS, Traci Cornelius, was not available for comment.

Several individual performers were also exceptional in their programs. Rachel Sorrell, Tiffany Reed, Cheyenne Reed and Emily Mertz (a group of three); Elisabeth Anderson, Maisie Cafeo, Spencer and Bobby Lane, Haley Duncan, Hannah Wright, Brittani DiNicola and Paul Anderson; Hannah Lane and Joshua Willing; and Caleb Alexander, showed real talent. They should all have bright futures.

Anyone interested in sponsoring next year's event, contact the Nye Communities Coalition at 775-727-9970.