The Sampson County Board of Education recently honored students, teachers and staff members for their contributions to local schools.
Connie Hope, a Union District bus driver and Bus Monitor Michelle Faison for their quick thinking during an incident on the road. According to school officials, after a loud noise, Faison discovered smoke on the bus, which came from a small fire. The vehicle was evacuated with the help of another bus, driven by Tammy Hall. The fire was put out by an extinguisher.
Hope praised all of the riders for quickly getting off the bus. Dustin Cortez, an eighth-grade student, played a major role in getting everyone off the bus safely.
Vicki Westbrook, director of transportation, and Shop Foreman James Raynor were also recognized for a quick response so students can get to school.
The Union District was also represented by three teachers participating in the World View 2018 Global Study program, through grant from Simple Gifts, a a program supporting educational opportunities beyond the classroom.
The World View Program offers professional development for K-12 teachers and college professors. The University of North Carolina sponsors the World View initiative.
Janet Taylor and Robert Smith will be going to China in the summer to study traditions, trends and transformations. Ashley Knowles plans to visit the Dominican Republic to focus on issues such as cultural respect and equity in the classroom.
Recognition in the district continued when Union Intermediate School students received certificates for submitting innovative and experimental projects for the North Carolina Technology in Education Society (NCTIES) conference in Raleigh. NCTIES is an organization made up of educators who share an interest in teaching technology.
Students who participated in the NCTIES conference presented projects related to subjects such as science, engineering, and design. The participants included Hannah Braswell, Justice Fennell, Edwin Roberto Flores Streber, Ashley Moran Fuentes, Autumn Williams, Emanuel Casimiro, Jasmine Newkirk, Aralin Arellano Macia, Natalie Spell, Briseida Cruz-Espino. Educators Caren Long, Tanya Freeman, Marshall Williams assisted the students with the NCTIES projects.
During the first week of March, Sampson School recognized social workers for School Social Work Week. This year’s theme was “United to Make a Better World.” Amela Joas and Lee Ann Barefoot were honored for their contributions to help students.
