- Diggs-Latham Elementary School
- Educators of the Year
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Congratulations to our 2023 Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Abadesa Ochoa, ESL Teacher
Checkout her Teacher Stats:
Background:
-born in Miami, FL
Education:
-attended Florida Atlantic University
-Bachelor of Science in K-6 Elementary Education
Educational Experience:
-been teaching for 17 years
-began teaching in Florida
-has worked at DLES for 9 years
Awards & Recognitions:
-2017 Teacher of the Year
-2017 PLAY (Piedmont Learning Academic for the Youth) Music Volunteer of the Year
-2023 Teacher of the Year
Leadership & School Involvement:
-PAWS/PBIS Committee
-Clean & Green
-Safety Patrol
-Hispanic Heritage
-Multicultural Committee
-Cinco De Mayo Celebration
-Mentor, Lead Mentor 2022-2023
Community Involvement:
-PLAY Music (Piedmont Learning Academic for the Youth) Volunteer
Hobbies:
-exercising
-playing sports
Family:
-parents born in Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico
-oldest of 3 children, has 1 brother and 1 sister
-husband is an aviation technician
-three sons
Colleagues say this about Mrs. Ochoa:
-She is an ESL teacher but a champion of all students.
-She is active in school events, an asset to the school, as she cares about students and colleagues.
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Congratulations to Our Classified Employee of the Year
Ms. Tiffani Cash, Reach Associate
Checkout her Stats:
Background:
-from Baltimore, Maryland
-relocated to Durham, NC and then Winston-Salem, NC at age 5
-attended Latham Elementary in 1st grade and then Cash Elementary and Kernersville Middle School
-graduated from East Forsyth High School (3 years on Homecoming Court, FBLA, Senior Girls Club)
Education:
-currently a senior of Winston-Salem State University (Dean’s List, 3.93 GPA, aspires to graduate Summa Cum Laude December 2023 with a BA in Elementary Education with a focus in K-6 Teacher Licensure)
-2017 Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Stanly Community College
Educational Experience:
-worked in education for 6 years
-2017: began working for WSFCS
-Kindergarten Teacher Assistant at Ibraham Elementary School
-Long-term Kindergarten and First Grade Sub
-2019-2020: administrative assistant to the superintendent in SC School District 7
-2020-2021: 4th grade Long Term Sub at DLES
-2021-2022: 2nd grade Summer School Teacher
-currently a Reach Associate in 5th grade
Awards & Recognitions:
-2018-2019 Classified Employee of the Year
-2019-2020 Employee of the Year
-2021-2022 United Way Chair/Top 3 School Highest Funds Raised
-2022-2023 WSSU Dean’s List with 3.93 GPA
-2022-2023 Classified Employee of the Year
Community Involvement:
-small business owner: TAAC Delicacies www.taacenterpsise4.com catering business
-member of St. Peter’s World Outreach Center
Hobbies:
-studying the Bible and praying
-spending time with children and fiancé
Special Skills:
-bilingual
Family:
-fiance: Alphona Cremedy
-children: Ariyah and Aiden, students of DLES and known as the “Cremedy Twins”
Colleagues say this about Ms. Cash:
-Ms. Cash is the direct reflection of WSFCS Core Values and a true team player.
-Ms. Cash does the absolute most with so much enthusiasm.
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Congratulations to our Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year
Mrs. Amanda Gordon, Magnet Coordinator
Checkout her stats:
Background:
-born in Winston-Salem and grew up in Westfield, NC
-attended Nancy Reynolds Elementary and North Stokes Jr & Sr High Schools
-2000 High School Valedictorian, Homecoming Court, BETA Club, Chief Junior Marshall
Education/Degrees:
-Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art Education with K-12 Teaching Licensure from UNCG
-K-12 AIG Certification UNC Charlotte
-National Board Certified Teacher in Early Elementary Art Education
Educational Experiences:
-19 years in education
-2004-2022 18 years teaching art
-2018-2023 Magnet Coordinator
-2013-2014 Differentiation Specialist
-2007-2010 AIG Teacher & Coordinator
-2006-2008 Technology Facilitator
Awards or Recognitions:
-2011 Teacher of the Year
-2013 Kennedy Center Arts Education Excellence Team Award
-2014 Student Honorable Mention Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts
-2016 NC A+ Schools Educator of the Year
-2016 WSFCS Arts Council Teacher of the Year
-2017 WSFCS District Magnet Teacher of the Year
-2017-2022 WSFCS Teacher Academy Teacher Leader
-2021 NC Art Ed Association Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Teacher of the Year
-2021 NCCAT Honored Educator
-2023 Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year
Community & Extra Curricular Involvement:
-Fall Festival, Multicultural, Black History, Hispanic Heritage, Yearbook Committees
-Member of Sovereign Grace Chapel (webmaster/social media, sound tech, musician, Bible Study)
-Stokes County Arts Council Board Member, Visual Arts Chair
-North Carolina Art Education Association Board Member, Social Media Master
Hobbies:
-photographer at Amanda Gordon Photography and AmazingAAG Photography
-social media master for art, photography, arts council, church
-singing and playing string instruments (mandolin, guitar)
-art: drawing, painting, weaving, mixed media
Family:
-married, husband is in law enforcement
-8 nieces and nephews
-oldest in my family with 3 siblings
-influenced and inspired by grandparents, grew up singing with them in church
-influenced and inspired by godparents who I met in my current church
-known for “adopting” my closest friends into my family and has a large extended family
Colleagues describe Mrs. Gordon by saying:
-Mrs. Gordon does an incredible amount of work that most people are not aware of.