Wofford named Marketing Teacher of the Year
from the Wentzville School District
September 1, 2009
Wentzville School District
The Missouri Marketing & Cooperative Education Association (MCEA) has selected Jolene Wofford, a teacher at Holt High School, as the 2009 MCEA Marketing Teacher of the Year.
The purpose of the award, according to the MCEA, is to recognize teachers who are providing outstanding career and technical education programs for youth and/or adults in their respective fields and communities.
Recipients of this award must have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique, and novel DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) programs that are serving to improve and promote career and technical education.
“I was very excited when I received the award,” said Wofford. “My biggest satisfaction in and out of the classroom is watching the students plan and implement projects that have an effect on the entire community. They go above and beyond each year by creating programs such as ‘Suicide Awareness’ and ‘Buckle Up For Safety’ campaigns. It is very rewarding to be a part of their accomplishments!”
Wofford has been teaching in the Wentzville School District for 13 years and currently teaches marketing at Holt High School. She has served on the school’s professional development committee and is a mentor for new teachers as well. She also serves as the DECA Advisor at Holt, where the DECA Chapter has been recognized as District Chapter of the Year for the past six consecutive years.
The chapter received an additional distinction in 2009 and 2006 as a Gold Level Chapter. To receive Gold Level honors, the students have to complete a “Gold Level Chapter Project” which entails an extensive amount of community involvement, leadership activities, and public relations activities.
An example of one such community project was the chapter’s instrumental involvement in raising money for Zachary’s Playground, located in Lake Saint Louis. Over the past six years, the Holt DECA Chapter, under Wofford’s guidance, raised over $10,000 for the construction of the playground, which was built with children with special needs in mind.
Wofford also personally devotes her time to many community initiatives for those in need. She can be found serving pancake breakfasts to our local veterans, raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, holding a basket tournament to raise money for Down Syndrome Awareness, and adopting a family during the holiday season.
A co-worker had this to say about Wofford: “She models a positive attitude and serves as a strong role model in the classroom and as a DECA sponsor who works with students in a courteous and respectful manner, and inspires students to strive for excellence in their work.”
What a difference one teacher can make in the life of a student and the community. Congratulations, Jolene!
Copyright 2009 Neighbors About Town
