Staff Report
English II teacher and yearbook adviser Rodney Allen was named Reynolds High School Teacher of the Year on Thursday morning.
Allen was one of three semifinalists for the honor, voted on annually by teachers at the school. The announcement was expected before the holiday break, but no one anticipated the kind of unveiling of the award that new Principal Pat Olsen had in store.
Olsen made an all-call in the middle of second-period classes. After apologizing for the interruption, Olsen asked all teachers with a planning period to report immediately to his office. The mysterious nature of the announcement sent some 20 teachers and staff scurrying. Olsen welcomed everyone with a smile and told of his plan to “barge in” to Allen’s class for the fun surprise.
“I was thinking of something that would be fun, something different and unique, because it is special,” Olsen explained. “It was kind of spontaneous. It’s perfect: He’s in class, let’s get together and all go in and make it a celebration.”
Allen’s yearbook class was enjoying a celebration of its own, snacking and chatting with the next yearbook page deadline still a month away. For his part, Allen had no idea what was about to unfold in his room.
Teachers filed in both doors of the classroom, clapping and offering their congratulations. Olsen entered and stood on a chair in the corner of the room to make the announcement that Allen had been named Teacher of the Year. He then presented yellow flowers and an envelope with the materials Allen will need to compete for the county Teacher of the Year honors.
Allen merely smiled at first as the surprise unfolded, then spoke a few words of thanks and accepted hugs and handshakes from his colleagues as they filed out. The students in his class actually broke out into song:
“I appreciated the spontaneous reaction by them,” Olsen said. “They started singing ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow,’ and I thought that was pretty special. I think the kids liked being there when it happened. It was awesome.”
As yearbook adviser, Allen often is involved in capturing the Teacher of the Year announcement. He said it was an honor to be on the other side of the camera this time.
“I love working here and I love the people I work with,” Allen said. “To share the moment with my colleagues was special.”
As Allen entered his third-period English II class, those students also broke out into applause.
“That’s the good thing — the kids I teach are amazing,” Allen said. “I love the way they always surprise me with their intelligence and wit.”
Kay Windsor • Dec 20, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Congratulations to Rodney Allen! Nice job on the story too!