Beth LaRock, 5th and 6th grade teacher at Brockport's Christ Community Church School, recently received the 2003 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year award from the Brockport store. Seventy-fire nominations were received from 12 area school districts. They were judged by store manager Drew Coleman and the assistant managers. LaRock won unanimously. Christ Community Church School will receive a $1,000 donation from Wal-Mart. LaRock has taught at the school since 1992. The award "came at a good time," according to Mrs. LaRock. "In the last couple of years I haven't been feeling I am effective the way I want to be," she said. "I love teaching academics, but the greatest part of my heart is to teach the kids that they are special, they have a purpose that God has set for them, and help them realize their goals. The awards helps me to know I am achieving this." The person nominating LaRock was Josh DuPré, now a junior at Roberts Wesleyan College. He called her "Aunt Beth" because of her nurturing ways. "Her years of teaching, training, and instructing me are years that I cherish and will never forget," he said in part of his nomination statement. "I would not be the student, but more importantly, the Christian man that I am today, if it wasn't for her daily care, concern, and prayers for me." LaRock lives in Sweden Village with her husband Doni and three adopted children Elaine, Emma and Evan. The couple also has two grown daughters Meghan and Wanda. |
