The Office of Clinical Experiences and the Department of Teaching and Learning have partnered to create a Clinical Faculty of the Year award to recognize the excellent work of the teachers in schools mentoring and coaching Old Dominion University teacher candidates. Specifically, this award recognizes teachers in grades P-12 who worked with an Old Dominion University teacher candidate during a student teaching experience in the past academic year. University supervisors who supervise student teachers, Old Dominion University faculty members, and the student teachers themselves were asked to nominate clinical faculty during the fall and spring semesters.
2022-2023 Award Winners
Each year, the Office of Clinical Experiences at Old Dominion University solicits nominations for Clinical Faculty Members of the Year. The winners are selected by a placement specialist in the Office of Clinical Experiences, Ms. Brenda Houck, and the co-chairs of the School-University Partnership Committee: Ms. Jennessa Libby-Reynolds Dr. Kristie Gutierrez, and Dr. Jori Beck. We are pleased to announce the awardee for the 2022-2023 school year!
Courtney Waterfield
Deep Creek Central Elementary School
Chesapeake Public Schools
Courtney Waterfield has taught preschool through third grade since receiving her masters degree from Old Dominion University in Elementary Education. She currently teaches second grade at Deep Creek Central Elementary in Chesapeake, Virginia. This past school year she was awarded Reading Teacher of the Year at DCCE. She has worked with student teachers and practicum students for over ten years and enjoys providing guidance and support for aspiring teachers. She feels that building strong relationships with students is the key to classroom success. Courtney's nominator noted her strength in this area and wrote, "Ms. Waterfield has been particularly good at building a strong relationship with her teacher candidate, making her feel comfortable and safe asking questions in a non-judgmental environment."
Finalist
LaToya Brown-Prince, Suffolk Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs (SECEP), Tidewater Regional Alternative Educational Program
Prior Winners
We recognize past recipients of this award:
2021-2022
- Kristy Hannah, Deep Creek Central Elementary School, Chesapeake Public Schools
- Maureen Webber, Great Bridge Middle School, Chesapeake Public Schools
2020-2021
- Leah Donohue, Salem High School, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
- Rhonda Hawks, Chalkley Elementary School, Chesterfield County Public Schools
2019-2020
- Amy Gortz, Larchmont Elementary School, Norfolk Public Schools
- Cherie Parkin, Greenbrier Primary, Chesapeake Public Schools