MHS honors top teachers

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
September 2, 2004
After 28 years of teaching algebra at Meridian High School, what keeps Deborah Fryery going is a commitment to preparing students for what lies ahead. Each of her Algebra I students passed the statewide standardized Subject Area Test given in May.
Fryery, and five other Meridian High School teachers, were honored Wednesday with a luncheon sponsored by the PTMHS, the high school's parent-teacher organization. The teachers were honored because their students showed significant improvements in Algebra I and U.S. History.
In Algebra I, student test scores improved almost 40 points over last year, and in U.S. History, 92 percent of students passed the test.
Jennifer Roye, test coordinator for MHS, said student test scores also improved in Biology I and English II multiple choice.
Roye said scores on the American College Test, or ACT, surpassed the state average this year. The state average was 20; the average MHS score was 21.1.
Principal R.D. Harris said he asked the parent-teacher organization to honor the teachers because he wanted to celebrate the fruits of their labor.
David Covert, a U.S. History teacher, said he tries to make learning fun for his students by making up songs to help them remember important facts. He said former students often remember the songs and sing them to him when he sees them in the hallway.
Covert said he and the students feel the pressure of doing well on standardized tests, but pressure forces students to bear down and try hard.
Bet Deweese, a member of the parent-teacher organization, said she, Kim Watts and Cindy McGinnis also wanted to show their appreciation for the teachers.