By Sonja J. Keith
Sherry Norrell is a special teacher with a big heart for her students and her co-workers. Her dedication to the profession she has enjoyed for 18 years has not gone unnoticed – last year she was named Teacher of the Year for the Conway School District.

A Reading Recovery/Title I reading and writing teacher, Sherry has taught at Ida Burns Elementary School for five years. She previously worked at Sallie Cone and St. Joseph elementary schools in Conway as well as in schools at Little Rock and Cotter (Baxter County).
Sherry earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Central Arkansas and has done post graduate study at UCA, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and North Arkansas Community College.
"One of the beliefs I have as an educator is that I will never know enough and that I must keep learning how to be better at what I do for as long as I am part of this calling," she said. "It is this belief that compels me to take part in good professional development to help me stay on the cutting edge of research, providing the best instruction I can for my students.”
Her teaching philosophy is simple – understanding her students.
"My philosophy is to investigate the causes behind each student’s underlying reality, find out where to meet them and how to help equip them with the knowledge, the strength and the belief in themselves that they will need to become independent and successful learners.”
Sherry’s goal is to "meet and teach each student where they are" and create a learning environment that accommodates individual learning styles. Last year, she worked with 60 students on specific needs so they could improve their reading skills and do better in their regular classroom.
"My students receive differentiated instruction so that individual needs are met. As they experience success they will build the stamina needed for the tremendous amount of information they must learn at such a young age."
With her teaching philosophy in mind, Sherry incorporates a variety of unique approaches to reach and engage her students. "I use music, poetry performance, games, oral interpretation of literature and drawing to find avenues to reach my students whether they are auditory, visual or kinesthetic learners.”
Another avenue is dressing up. Sherry has worn a variety of costumes to school to engage her students in literature – from a 1950’s costume complete with a beehive and a cowgirl ensemble to characters from Huck Finn and Harry Potter. “I enjoy doing it and the kids get a big kick out of it. I do it because they enjoy it a lot. It’s fun.”
Sherry credits the entire Ida Burns teaching staff and acknowledges their hard work in helping students. "I can say without reservation, the people here are among the hardest working and most caring I have been around. And, of course, I am crazy about the kids at this school. They are some of the best.”
The teacher of the year honor provided an opportunity for Sherry to reflect on her work and put on paper her thoughts. "It was a very reflective time and an honor, of course,” she said. “It makes you want to stand up a little straighter and try a little harder. It was very humbling.”
While she was flattered with the district award, she considers the success of her students her greatest reward. "Sometimes success is measured in a smile or a thank you.”
Sherry recalls a recent visit from a high school student who said she changed his way of looking at reading, especially poetry. He credits this change with steering him into the dramatic arts. He has become involved with the local community arts production and has written plays and short stories. “I was touched that he remembered what we did so long ago. He was in early elementary when he was in my class.”
She also recalled a student she worked one-on-one with last year. "During our first week together as he started to leave he turned back to me, looked me in the eye and said, ‘Thank you for helping me learn about reading.’ In order to mask my tears, I walked him down the hall talking a mile a minute,” she said, explaining that he knew he was behind but wanted so badly not to be.
"Teaching reading is such a great way to spend my days on this earth. The best moments are when a student really understands the reading process and the love of reading takes hold or when a student looks at me and says, ‘I want to be a reading teacher just like you.’”