'She gives so much'

Call it a clean sweep.

Wewahitchka Middle School, the youngest of Gulf County's six public schools, now claims both the district-wide Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year.

Superintendent of Schools Tim Wilder, school board members and district staff awarded Anita Askew the Teacher of the Year honor at a surprise ceremony at the school Tuesday afternoon.

"I couldn't be happier. They are so well deserved," said principal Pam Lister of the honors earned by Askew and Brandi Kemp, an instructional aide in the school's Bridges program.

"I think this means we're a viable school," Lister laughed.

Wewahitchka Middle School was founded eight years ago. It currently has an "A" designation from the state, the highest mark for academic excellence.

A selection committee from an outside school district selected Askew for the Teacher of the Year honor after conducting an in-class observation.

"Every year we say how hard it is to do this, but there was a good feel all the way across," Wilder said of Askew and her fellow nominees. "To win that honor against some really good professionals says a lot about you and the job you do."

At the middle school, Askew chairs the school-wide reading team, administers computerized assessments and serves as an unofficial reading coach.

She believes passionately in providing students with a strong foundation in reading. In her classroom, she has compiled an extensive library and encourages independent reading on campus and at home.

In addition to her classroom duties, Askew also serves as a principal designee, ball game supervisor and organizer of the annual seventh grade trip to Washington, D.C.

If flowers need planting or decorations need hanging for a party, Askew usually does those things, too. Lister calls her the "campus beautification person."

Askew packs a lot into her day, which begins well before most people have risen from bed.

Though she signs in at 6:30 a.m., Askew can generally be found in her room between 4:30-5 a.m., getting a jump start on her day.

"When I'm up early, I'm fresh. I'm ready to think and I can assess my students and what their needs are," Askew explained.

Before leaving in the afternoon, usually at 5-5:30 p.m., when most teachers have vacated the premises, Askew reassesses her students and comes up with a game plan tailored to their individual needs.

"Every student is unique and every student has a different set of needs," said Askew. "They are all individuals and it's important to meet their particular learning styles."

Askew's dedication has not escaped her co-workers' notice.

"She's usually always here," said Lister. "She gives so much of her life to this school."

Following the announcement, Askew enjoyed refreshments with her colleagues and family.

Not wanting to ruin the surprise, Lister and her staff set up the buffet themselves, a task that usually falls to Askew.

And how did her boss and colleagues do as make-shift party planners and campus beautifiers? 

"They did a good job," Askew said with a smile. "They did excellent."

Askew will compete against other Florida educators for the state-wide Teacher of the Year honor this spring.