The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro

Erwin Montessori teacher receives Rosalyn Tanner Orr Mentor of the Year Award

 

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Elizabeth Carruthers, a first- and second-grade teacher at Erwin Montessori School, has been named this year’s winner of the Rosalyn Tanner Orr Mentor of the Year Award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The award, presented Thursday evening at the meeting of the Guilford County Board of Education, recognizes individuals for helping develop outstanding teachers.

 

Carruthers, who received a $1,000 cash prize, is a Greensboro native and the daughter of Robin and Suzie Britt. She has taught for 19 years in both private and public school settings, and has been at Erwin Montessori since 2003.

 

“This is wonderful,” Carruthers said, turning to thank the mentees who nominated her for the award and adding, “I learned just as much from you as you did from me.”

 

In a joint statement, two first-year teachers who nominated Carruthers – Casey Tinkham and Athena Burnette – said, “I can’t imagine what my year would have been without Elizabeth there helping me every step of the way. She consistently went above and beyond anytime I asked for advice or resources. I feel so grateful to have such an incredible mentor who gives so much of herself for those around her. I hope one day to be as good a teacher.”

 

The Mentor of the Year Award is made possible by the Rosalyn Tanner Orr Endowment for Excellence in Public Education, a fund of The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. The Endowment was started 10 years ago by the late Rosalyn Orr, who raised the money to build a permanent endowment for the specific purpose of rewarding teachers who take the time to shepherd newer teachers and to celebrate those activities that otherwise would largely go unnoticed.

 

Orr worked tirelessly to build the fund, and did so anonymously. She passed away in May 2009. Her family decided to honor her memory by offering the award in her name.

 

Other award finalists, who each received $100, and their mentees, who each received a $50 gift certificate to Edu-Play for supplies, were:

• Kevin Fuehler, nominated by Amy Thompson – Mell-Burton School
• Melissa Cowie, nominated by Danielle Swagler – Southwest Middle School
• Nichole Abell, nominated by Kendra Ferguson – Page High School
• Raquel Robinson, nominated by Shelby Jordan – McIver Education Center

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