Martha Tremblay, English- Tremblay starts her 24th year in the classroom this year, bringing 19 years of Elementary Education experience to go along with her five years at Scotland High School. A Scotland High School graduate, Tremblay said that she is pleased to be a part of the supportive faculty of the high school from which she graduated from. “It is such an honor to win an award for something I really and truly love doing,” she said. “Teaching has always been my passion.”

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Contributed photos Scotland’s top teachers are; Jamie Coleman, Vanessa Edmundson , Atondra Ellis, Rhonda Hall , Molly Hayes, Phyllis Laviner, Heather Ray, Jeanne Roller, Leslie Smith and Martha Tremblay.

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Jamie Coleman, Physical Education- As a Health and Physical Education instructor, Coleman primarily teaches incoming freshmen at Scotland High School. Coleman begins his 13th year with Scotland County Schools this year after serving the past two years as the Physical Education instructor at Pate Gardner Elementary School. This past summer Coleman was named the Scots’ varsity head baseball coach and serves as the varsity football team’s defensive secondary coach.

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Vanessa Edmundson, Theater- Edmundson, who began teaching at Scotland High School as a substitute in 1996, currently heads the theater department at SHS. Edmundson teaches all levels of theater at Scotland and is the director of the school’s theater productions. Edmundson began teaching theater in 1998 at Scotland, and while at SHS, has taught Public Speaking, African-American Literature, Ethnic Studies and Competency English. Along with her time in the classroom, Edmundson has served as the Ninth Grade and Junior Varsity Cheerleading Coach, Student Government Advisor, Advisor for SHS Senior Trips and host of Scotland’s annual talent shows. Edmunson is currently persuring her Ph.D. and will graduate with her doctorate in 2013.

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Atondra Ellis, Social Studies- Ellis, a graduate of Scotland High School, Davidson College and Lesley University, teaches U.S. History and AP Government & Politics at Scotland High School. Ellis has been teaching for six years after moving back to Scotland County from New Orleans, La. Along with her teaching duties, Ellis also serves as Scotland High School’s Student Government Advisor.

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Ronda Hall, Spanish- As a 20-year teaching veteran, Hall began her second year at Scotland High School this year. Hall considers her greatest assets in the classroom to be her breadth of experiences. Hall encourages her students to participate in clubs, sports and community services. In the classroom, Hall believes in showing her students the significance of their work and how it will help them in real life. Hall attended 13 different schools in 12 years during her childhood, helping to shape her classroom style. “Every student is different,” Hall said. “As a teacher, I try to gauge my lessons to help my students on their own level.”

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Phyllis Laviner, Art- Beginning her 13th year as an educator, Laviner will teach all levels of Art at Scotland High School this year. Laviner graduated with an Art degree from Western Carolina University and hold a Reading and K-6 Education Certifications from UNCP and St. Andrews University, respectively. Laviner began the National Art Honor Society at Scotland High School this year to help develop and promote the artistic talents of SHS students at school and in the community. Laviner resides in Laurinburg with her husband, Lindsay, and their three small puppies.

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Molly Hayes, Mathematics- A Columbus, Ohio, native, Hayes began her sixth year at Scotland High School this year. Hayes currently teaches Integrated Math II and will instruct Algebra II Honors next semester. Hayes is the Varsity Volleyball team’s assistant head coach and has been a part of the volleyball program since she began at SHS. Hayes also volunteers as one of the advisors for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Hayes is married to husband, Phil Hayes, and is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Teaching at UNCP.

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Heather Ray, Mathematics- Ray, a Scotland High School graduate, begins her third year at Scotland High School in 2012. This year will be Ray’s fourth in the classroom as she leads her juniors and seniors through Advanced Functions and Modeling. “As a graduate of Scotland High School, I could not be more honored,” Ray said.

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Leslie Smith, Mathematics- Smith returns to Scotland High School this year after a 7-year hiatus from the classroom. Smith, who taught mathematics at Scotland from 1999-2005, will teach Algebra II to Scotland’s sophomores and juniors part-time this year. Smith holds a Mast Degree in Math Education. “I invite you to come by Room 105…to see what our class is learning,” Smith said.

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Jeanne Roller, Physical Education- A 33-year teaching veteran, Roller begins her 22nd year this year at Scotland High School. As a Physical Education instructor, Roller had dedicated her life to teaching her students the importance of physical fitness. Roller has coached many sports over her 30-plus year career, including cross country, varsity basketball, volleyball and softball, spending the last 10 years as Scotland’s men’s and women’s tennis coach.

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Usually when Scotland High School releases a Top Scots’ list, it’s Scotland students that are being honored for their hard work and determination in the classroom.

But recently, Scotland High School teachers took their turn, as Scotland announced 10 Top Scot Teachers for the first nine weeks of the 2012-2013 school year.

The Top Scot Teachers were selected out of more than 100 submissions from students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members, representing the best-of-the-best that SHS has to offer.

“Our teachers are critical to student success and to the success of our school,” Scotland High School principal Beth Ammons said. “We wanted to make sure that our teachers know how much we appreciate all that they do each and every day for our kids.”

The 10 Top Scots, made up of an eclectic mix of veteran and new teachers, were honored at a ceremony in the SHS Auditorium.

Scotland’s Jamie Coleman (Physical Education), Vanessa Edmundson (Theater), Atondra Ellis (Social Studies), Rhonda Hall (Spanish), Molly Hayes (Math), Phyllis Laviner (Art), Heather Ray (Math), Jeanne Roller (Physical Education), Leslie Smith (Math) and Martha Tremblay (English) were selected as the initial Top Scot Teachers for the first nine weeks.

The Top Scots Teachers will receive a photo display in the school’s main foyer, as well as a $40 gift card, a Top Scots t-shirt and a door display to recognize their achievement to students and visitors.

Ammons said that beginning a high school teacher recognition program is an important step in helping to build a positive school culture where teachers feel appreciated.

“We wanted to start a teacher recognition program last year, but shifting the school back to one high school was a big challenge and we had so many other things to deal with,” she said. “This year is the perfect time to get our program going in recognizing our teacher’s work, especially with the new Common Core and Essential Standards curriculum. These new standards will require our teachers to rethink the way that they do their work. A lot of our teachers worked all summer to ensure that the new curriculum roll out was a smooth one and they’re doing a fantastic job. I would like to thank Pam Lewis and our Top Scots Teachers committee for their hard work in putting this program together.”

Teacher nomination forms were available for voters at the SHS Main Office, College Central and online at the official Scotland High School Website.

The Top Scot Teacher program will continue throughout the year, giving teachers an opportunity to be selected for the award during each nine week grading period.

Along with teachers, Scotland High School support staff, including administrators, counselors and other school personnel, will be eligible for the second nine weeks award.