Erika Van Buren accepts the Jenkins County Elementary School "Teacher of the Year" award from Jenkins County Board of Education Chairman Carroll Gay. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

Jenkins County Elementary School (JCES) recently named Erika Van Buren as their 2005-2006 "Teacher of the Year." Van Buren was chosen by her peers to receive this honor because they believe she exhibits the qualities of an outstanding teacher. She has six years of teaching experience, four of which have been at JCES. Van Buren is currently a fourth and fifth grade math resource teacher at JCES.

Van Buren is a graduate of A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High School in Augusta. She holds a bachelor of science degree in middle grades education with a mathematics minor from Augusta State University. Her graduate studies include a master’s degree in middle grades education and an education specialist degree in middle grades education from Georgia Southern University.

Van Buren began her teaching career at Louisville Middle School in Jefferson County. During her two years at Louisville Middle School she taught sixth grade math, science and reading. Van Buren taught fifth grade math, science and reading for three years at JCES before becoming a math resource teacher this past year.

While at JCES, Van Buren has served as grade level chair person, taught in the S.O.A.R. after school program, been on the Design/Leadership team and been a supervising teacher in collaboration with Georgia Southern University while obtaining her Teacher Support Specialist (TSS) endorsement. Van Buren has also served on several school committees including: the textbook adoption committee, school calendar committee, science committee, math committee and honors day committee. She is a member of two professional organizations: Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the National Council of Math Teachers (NCTM) and has been recognized by the 52nd Georgia Science and Engineering Fair as well as Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

Van Buren states, "I believe an effective teacher must be a successful learner. The teacher must fulfill the role of pupil with the objective of uncovering students’ characteristics. From these students, the educator must gain the knowledge necessary to ensure their successes: academically, mentally and socially. Knowing all students have immense potential, the effective teacher determines how to best meet their students’ needs based on what they learn from them."

Van Buren, along with her husband Allen and her son Alex, live in Millen. She is the daughter of Earl and Betty Sikes also of Millen.