Principal Dusty Johns honored Jennifer Caperton with flowers and a crown as he awarded her the school’s Teacher of the Year Sept. 9, 2016.
Johns shocked Caperton with his announcement. She felt honored to stand for Boone and her colleagues.
“I uphold the standards of Boone because I hold fast to tradition in the way that I teach, speak, act, and model to the best of my abilities, day in and day out,” Caperton said.
Caperton teaches in English 1, and says she loves teaching ninth graders as they transition into high school. She uses her energy and passion for English to add interest to her lessons and motivate her students.
“I am made to teach freshman students. I love this transition year of students’ lives. I believe my energy, enthusiasm and love for the curriculum helps me be an effective teacher,” Caperton said.
Caperton started teaching in 1999 and joined the English department at Boone in 2002. Mrs. Lydia Douglas, Caperton’s ninth grade English I teacher at Vero Beach Junior High, taught Caperton the value of a strong work ethic and deep thinking, and inspired her to pursue a career in education.
“She taught me the value of thinking deeply, working hard and what it meant to have a work ethic. Earning a B was not a walk in the park,” Caperton said. “To think I can use my own life to teach and benefit others is nothing but a blessing to me.”
The nomination committee chose Caperton because of her engaging personality in class and her integration of critical content with self-pacing.
“Her dynamic personality and innovative instructional abilities keep our incoming ninth graders academically engaged… Mrs. Caperton embeds new critical content with self-paced routines and procedures that keep her students on-track for the entire year,” the nomination said.
Caperton believes that teamwork is essential to life in and out of her classroom. She values the relationships she has with her colleagues and seeks out individuals that push her to grow as a person and share her passion for teamwork.
“‘As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another. To be the best we can be we need one another. In the work world, my colleagues and I work relationally through friendship. In order to get better as people we need to help, challenge and support one another through good times and bad so we can make this world a better place,” Caperton said.
County officials will announce the five finalists on Oct. 19 and all Teachers of the Year will celebrate their success Dec. 6 at the Rosen Centre.