Martha Williams Newson, an elementary school teacher in Charlotte, and Mary Beth Pucciano Braker, a high school teacher in Chapel Hill, are the 2000 recipients of Wake Forest University’s $20,000 Marcellus E. Waddill Excellence in Teaching Awards.
Newson will accept her award during the Opening Convocation ceremony at Wait Chapel on Sept. 28. Braker could not be present, and will accept her award during the Founder’s Day celebration this spring. Each Waddill winner receives $20,000.
The Waddill awards annually recognize Wake Forest alumni who are outstanding teachers. One primary school and one secondary school teacher are chosen for the award.
David Waddill of Rye, N.Y. established the gift in 1994 to honor his father, Marcellus Waddill of Winston Salem, who retired in 1997 after teaching mathematics at Wake Forest for 35 years.
Thirty-five nominees competed for this year’s award. Nominees must submit lesson plans, letters of recommendation and essays. Finalists are interviewed and videotaped while teaching.
Newson, a fifth-grade teacher, graduated from Wake Forest in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in education and communication. She began teaching that year, and has taught at Charlotte Country Day since 1985.
Braker graduated from Wake Forest in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in English. She earned her master’s degree in education from Wake Forest in 1996. She began teaching that year and has taught English at East Chapel Hill High since 1999.
Categories: Events, Teacher-Scholar, University Announcement
Headlines
Wake Forest in the News
Wake Forest regularly appears in media outlets around the world.