Jean Spell has taught in Carson City for 22 years, but she reached a new distinction recently when she was named Carson City School District's 2005-06 educator of the year.
"I have to say I was shocked," said Spell, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Carson Middle School. "I just think it's such an honor."
She and 10 staff members, from other district sites, were nominated. At their individual sites, they were recognized as its educator of the year.
"To have been chosen educator of the year (just at Carson Middle) is tremendous because I work with so many wonderful teachers," she said.
"But I knew a lot of the educators that were nominated from their schools, and I have to tell you there are a lot of great people. To have been chosen to represent Carson City is a tremendous honor to me."
Spell, 49, is a native of Texas who moved to Carson City at 17. She attended the University of Nevada, Reno, from which she graduated in 1983 with a bachelor's degree of science in elementary education.
For the past 12 years, she's taught at Carson Middle, and the prior 10 at Seeliger Elementary School in kindergarten, second, third and fifth grades. She was also a legal secretary for the offices of the public defender and the attorney general in Carson City.
"I always thought teaching was something I would do," she said. "I actually started off in business (in college), and I did not like it. I did not find it interesting at all.
"What I did was take some classes where you go into the classroom and observe. I loved that and just decided that's what I wanted to do."
She has a variety of students - special-education, gifted and talented, and English-language learners.
To best teach them, spell will group them or have them do special activities, like act out a scene from the Greek era.
"I really try to do all I can to differentiate my teaching so that everyone can find some way to be successful," she said.
Kevin Fallon, a CMS English teacher, works closely with Spell.
"There are a lot of things that go into being a teacher," he said. "(Spell) uses a real variety of strategies in her teaching of social studies and teaching of ancient civilizations," he said.
"She makes it so that a wide variety of children can learn the content. Her enthusiasm also gives a lot more life and creates a lot more interest in the teaching of her content."
Cheering and clapping erupted last week when it was announced over the intercom that Spell was district winner.
"The kids were applauding her and were really happy to see her getting the award," Fallon said.
"It was really a neat moment. The greatest endorsement you can get is one from your students."
Spell's daughters, Megan, 25, and Tiffany, 21, both attended Carson City schools.
Spell will become literacy coordinator at Carson Middle next year.
"She is a wonderful instructor," said Fallon's wife, CMS math teacher Ellen Fallon, who this year received a Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.
"She has tremendous professional knowledge, which she shares with her colleagues. She mentors new teachers. She is just an amazing teacher.
"The Fallons love Mrs. Spell."
The toughest end-of-the-year project for the district's new educator of the year may be scheduling the extra day off that came with the award.
"I have to use it this year," Spell said. "I'm getting a little worried."
• Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.
Educator of the Year nominees:
• Charles Cannady, Carson High School
• Mary Wertjes, Eagle Valley Middle School
• Linda Hurzel, Bordewich-Bray Elementary School
• Mark Gardner, Empire Elementary School
• Dolores Steele, Fremont Elementary School
• Diana Easby, Fritsch Elementary School
• Bridget Brush, Mark Twain Elementary School
• Alice Fisher, Seeliger Elementary School
• Karen Bianchi, student-support services/professional-development center
• Kirsten Odegard, Opportunity School