Sanfordville educator named Sam's Club Teacher of the Year

Warwick — Linda Blake was shopping in Sam’s Club when she saw that the store was accepting nominations for teacher of the year. Although her son, Orion, is graduating from Warwick Valley High School this June, Blake immediately thought back to when he was in elementary school, specifically when his teacher was Beverly Braxton. Braxton is one of Warwick’s PIE - Partners in Education - teachers. The program was designed to forge a community, based on partnership among students, teachers and parents. The philosophy of PIE is progressive, noting that each child is unique. Braxton was one of the first teachers hired by the district to teach this program 21 years ago. She has taught it at the middle school, Park Avenue and now Sanfordville. The PIE classes are different from traditional classes in that two grades are combined for the purpose of peer tutoring. Parent involvement is essential. “Beverly Braxton was essential to Orion’s success,” said Blake. “She is a superlative teacher and I never forgot that.” So, standing there in Sam’s, Blake wrote her memories of Braxton and how important she was to her son. “She’s an innovator in education systems and teaching methods, pioneering the PIE program, combining two grades at any one time,” Blake wrote on the application. “She is well educated, compassionate, caring and president of the PTA. After 9/11, she got community funds to create a remembrance/memorial garden with a solar fountain that her students planted and maintain. She is a black teacher who champions diversity and programs that highlight minority and ethnic accomplishments. She’s the greatest!” Orion worked hard throughout his high school career. He has continually earned high honor roll status and has won many awards for both scholarship and leadership. His parents, Linda and Maximo, supplied support at home, but it was teachers like Braxton who carried the load during the school day. “It truly does take a village to raise a child,” said Blake. “The PIE program requires parents of participants to be in the classroom weekly. It also combines two grades at once so that the older children reinforce their learning by partnering with the younger students. The teachers of the innovative PIE program are a special group, with much dedication and inspiration to offer their students.” Blake’s letter certainly hit a nerve with the people at Sam’s Club. Braxton was named the local Teacher of the Year for 2006 and her school, Sanfordville Elementary School, received a $1,000 grant. Next, Braxton will go on for the state Teacher of the Year award and gets rave reviews from her principal. “I’ve worked with Beverly for 15 years,” said Roger Longfield, principal of Sanfordville Elementary School. “She is a moving force when it comes to working with children to understand a consciousness, a social understanding of things. She teaches peace and harmony, diversity and conflict resolution, things some teachers are reticent to approach.” Braxton was “very surprised” to learn she had been chosen. “I had no idea a parent had submitted that in my name,” said Braxton. “I was moved by the fact this child thought of me in such a way.” She remembers Blake’s class fondly, noting that the first year she had them, she challenged them to read 1,000 books as a group. She remembers Orion taking it very seriously, which is her goal with all students. “The fact that they are lifelong readers and lifelong learners, that makes me happy,” said Braxton. Braxton feels the PIE program gives teachers and students an advantage since they are together for two years instead of one. “You get to know each other better over that time,” she said. Blake was thrilled that Braxton won the award, not just because she felt she deserved it, but because she wanted her to know that after all these years, Blake still remembered how important she was in her son’s life. “Orion owes a lot of his academic success to the PIE program and Beverly Braxton,” she said. “As teachers we are sowing seeds,” said Braxton, “but you never know how they are going to grow.” Orion is heading to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in King Point this fall.