February’s award-winning teacher goes the extra mile
Mary Warrington doesn’t mind going the extra mile to be well prepared for her students and help them excel in their education.
Twelve-hour workdays are not uncommon for the 52-year-old teacher at Henderson’s Elise L. Wolff Elementary School.
“I don’t quit until the work is done,” she said.
Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Warrington was selected as the Clark County Educator of the Month in February. All monthly winners will be honored at an end-of-school-year banquet, where an Educator of the Year will be named.
Warrington was chosen from a list of nominees by a panel that includes members of the Clark County School Board, Public Education Foundation, PTA, Teach for America and private school representatives. The Las Vegas Review-Journal sponsors the program.
Warrington was humble about her recognition.
“There are so many deserving teachers,” she said. “We strongly believe in what we do. I’m just fortunate.”
Beverly Mathis, with the Public Education Foundation, is on the panel that selects the Educator of the Month. The panel typically receives anywhere between eight and 10 nominations.
Certain aspects of Warrington’s work made her stand out, Mathis said. One of them was working beyond her normal school hours.
The second-grade teacher’s work doesn’t end when her students leave her classroom.
“She still worked, making sure everything was in order for students who came back in the morning,” Mathis said. “That’s what we are supposed to do as educators.”
Warrington’s efforts to encourage more parents to get involved in their children’s education also distinguished her, Mathis said. All educators want “parents to feel comfortable attending school events.”
Warrington, who has taught since 1986, honors her students with the Sailor of the Week award, which is based on her classroom’s decorating theme. As part of the award, students get to have lunch with their parents in school on Friday, among other activities.
The second-grade teacher’s husband, Joseph Warrington, said his wife uses the Sailor of the Week award to challenge her students to be the best.
“She doesn’t get tired of doing this,” he said. “She takes pride.”
Sophia Flores won the award last week. The 7-year-old believes Sailor of the Week is a great program because the winner gets the attention from the rest of the class.
And it’s also a good motivation to do well in school, she said.
“I always try my best because I want to be a smart kid,” Flores said as she worked on a writing exercise.
Warrington teaches her students to work hard and have perseverance. She also uses her school counseling background to teach students skills that will be helpful later in life, such as social behaviors and being responsible.
“I really believe that each child has a great potential,” she said.
