NFPA Choses North Carolina Educator As Its Teacher of the Year

NFPA Journal, Sep/Oct 2006

PUBLIC EDUCATION

NFPA NAMED TINA DOTSON from Asheville, North Carolina as the 2006 Teacher of the Year. Dotson, a first grade teacher at the Oakley Elementary School, has made the Risk Watch program an integral part of her teaching because she believes in the importance and ability to protect her students and their families.

Students in her class become "Risk Watchers" and earn stars for their sashes when they are reported to have been diligent "Risk Watchers." The class has an award ceremony weekly to recognize students who have been Risk Watchers for the week. Mrs. Dotson has created a pin for students to wear home stating, "I was a Risk Watcher today. Ask me how." The idea behind the pin is to encourage safety discussions at home.

Mrs. Dotson stresses the importance of bringing the messages home to parents and has even provided a CPR workshop for interested parents. Many parents have commented that the lessons learned will make a lasting impact on their children - and in many cases, they are learning along with their children.