2006 VIP Award Winners
March 05, 2008
2006 PPP V.I.P Awards
The following individuals were nominated by their local districts as instrumental to the success of their school or district PPP initiatives:
Sharon
Gillette – John
Weldon Elementary, Francis-Howell
Sharon Gillette is instrumental in organizing opportunities for
John Weldon Elementary to reach out to both parents and students in
the community. Ms. Gillette is the director of John Weldon’s before
and after school program, Vacation Station. She encourages parent
involvement in educating their students both behaviorally and
academically. She organizes and hosts a minimum of one Parent Night
per quarter to focus on family values and education in relation to
some scholastic event or holiday during that period of the calendar
year. Her skills at choreographing a multitude of involved parties
for each Parent Night include working with employees, parent
volunteers, and community business partners. She brings them all
together to work in apparent flawless harmony to produce the
desired PPP–oriented message underlying each event. For these
reasons, as well as her unending dedication to PPP and its ideals
on all levels, Sharon Gillette deserves recognition as a V.I.P of
PPP.
Connie
Gooch—Vineland
Elementary, DeSoto 73
Connie Gooch of DeSoto 73 School District received recognition as a
Practical Parenting Partnerships Very Important Person at the 2006
Family Festival on Friday, March 3 at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach.
Mrs. Gooch has taught in the DeSoto 73 School District for 25
years. She was nominated by the local school district for her
relentless efforts to combine effective instruction and parental
involvement to reach every learner. Mrs. Gooch’s ongoing work and
dedication to the Vineland Practical Parenting Partnerships has
been marked with many successes, one of which is the successful and
ever-growing monthly family nights. Staff and parents plan these
nights during monthly meetings and show high levels of excitement
and support for these family nights on a consistent basis. Within
her grade level and building, she is a respected leader. Her
leadership and tenacity is admired and followed by fellow staff.
Mrs. Gooch’s exceptional skill in interpersonal relations led to
many staff helping with the family nights. When you put the years
of effective instruction to our students, dedication to the
Vineland Practical Parenting Partnership and quality interpersonal
staff relationships together, you get an outstanding educator that
is invaluable to any school district. Connie Gooch’s efforts are
very much appreciated, and that is why she deserves recognition as
a PPP VIP!
Katie
Paul – Early
Childhood Family Education Center, Francis-Howell
Katie Paul has been most impressive with the leadership she has
shown in promoting the philosophy of PPP by paving the way for new
policies to be implemented within the Francis Howell district in
the area of parent involvement and student achievement. Katie has
invited many parents and educators from all walks of life to become
involved in reassessing the parent involvement needs of the
district. She is open to ideas in every area. Katie Paul has a
heart for kids and their parents and she shows it very effectively
in the way she is leading the entire school district toward better
and more effective relationships in order to enhance student
development in all areas. Katie is a true PPP V.I.P!
Beth
Pelham – Branson
R-IV Kindergarten
Beth Pelham is a Very Important Person in the PPP program at
Branson School District. Beth joined the PPP team this year and has
proven to be an outstanding addition. Beth is currently serving on
the advisory board as secretary and has taken an active part in
every parent event. She can be found working very diligently prior
to, during and after each activity. Beth is always willing to do
what is needed and never complains, even at the fall picnic when
she carried heavy boxes filled with supplies from her car to the
picnic area (an extremely long way!) Branson staff say they are
honored to have Beth as one of their team members and now we
recognize her as a PPP V.I.P!
Stacey
Seabaugh –
Fredericktown R-I Elementary
Fredericktown Elementary School is proud to honor Stacey Seabaugh
as their PPP V.I.P. Stacey is always willing to help out in any
way. For example, she always allows the PPP Advisory Board to meet
in her room; she will pick up last minute items for the Family Fun
Nights; and she will even bring in delicious doughnuts to satisfy
the board’s sweet tooth. When Stacey is not helping out at Family
Fun Nights, she can
be found helping students with their special needs and always
making parents feel welcomed in the school. Let’s all salute Stacey
Seabaugh as Fredericktown’s PPP V.I.P!
Tina
Wright –
Franklin Elementary, Cape Girardeau
Tina has been the catalyst behind the parent involvement program,
working diligently to move their parent involvement participation
from 71% to 82%. Her tireless efforts have brought praise from
parents, staff, students, and community members. Tina has used her
creativity to facilitate family movie nights, multicultural nights,
and love of reading nights. Last year she made over 50 home visits
and provided community resources assistance to over 25 families.
The numerous qualities Tina possesses have brought the school and
home closer together. Her principal says, “We wouldn’t be where we
are without her!” Tina Wright again deserves to be a PPP
V.I.P.
Special recognition from the PPP Center goes to the following people who have demonstrated leadership in working with the center in 2006:
Connie
Toney –
Perryville Elementary, Perry County 32
Connie has led the PPP effort at Perryville Elementary, recognizing
the value of a regular emphasis on parent involvement throughout
the year in helping students achieve at a higher level. She has
scheduled a monthly PPP family night through the PPP Center, with
both academic and parenting emphasis. Connie has been instrumental
in making a successful collaboration of Practical Parenting
Partnerships and the school’s 21st Century grant program. PPP
salutes Connie Toney as a PPP V.I.P!
Jim Meyer,
Ph.D. –
Associate Professor, MO State University, Springfield, and PPP
Trainer
Jim Meyer has led PPP efforts over the years in both Arkansas and
Missouri while also teaching college courses in the area of family
studies and early childhood education. He has been a PPP Trainer
for many years. Recently, he worked with the PPP Center in a study
of the effects of home visiting at the elementary level. A PPP site
trained their kindergarten teachers in PPP’s Home Visit Training,
completed home visits and reflected on their experiences. Jim and
an associate are presenting their study at several national
conferences that feature research. Dr. Jim Meyer is a valuable
asset to PPP, a true PPP V.I.P!
Nancy
Davis, Ph.D.
Education Consultant, PPP Trainer and Advisory Board Member,
Eureka
Nancy Davis has a long history with Practical Parenting
Partnerships. Nancy completed PPP Implementation Training in 1995,
became a PPP Trainer the following year, and became a member of the
PPP staff in 1997. Several years later, she returned to her roots
in early childhood, becoming the director of a Montessori school.
During this time, she taught at the University of Missouri and
continued with PPP as a trainer and representative on a local
parent involvement council. In recent years, Ms. Davis has
continued and expanded her work with PPP as a trainer in the St.
Louis area and has been serving on an advisory board of the
Rockwood School District. For all her efforts in promoting the
concepts of Practical Parenting Partnerships, we value Dr. Nancy
Davis as a PPP V.I.P!
