Teaching culture beyond the walls of high school
WAHS educator named S.C. Spanish Teacher of the Year
By Warren Cobb
Community Editor, West Of*
About a year after being named Lowcountry Spanish Teacher of the Year, WAHS faculty member, Celina P. Anthony has been recognized as the top Spanish language and culture educator in the state. The honor was bestowed by The Citadel's Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. Anthony was chosen from 22 Spanish educators nominated from all over the state, including about 1,500 public and private schools in South Carolina. The award recognizes outstanding Spanish teachers in the state's K-12 schools.
"I feel very honored," Anthony says. "I have been so thrilled receiving congratulations from students, colleagues, friends, and members of the community for receiving this award."
Anthony has impressive and diverse teaching accomplishments in and outside of her school and in her outstanding role in disseminating the Hispanic language and culture in South Carolina, said Dr. Mark P. Del Mastro, professor of Spanish and founder and director of the awards program. Nominees were judged on innovation in teaching, initiative in Spanish curriculum development and extra-curricular activities related to teaching and professional development. "She really embodies all of the qualities that an ideal Spanish teacher should have," Del Mastro says. "She has done an immense amount of work as it relates to Spanish language and cultural education in the Lowcountry and the state of South Carolina."
Anthony, a native of Peru, has taught at WAHS since 1997. She is the sponsor of the school's Spanish Club, coordinator of the school's Multicultural Festival, and teaches Spanish and English to adults in the community. She is also a mentor for Spanish teacher candidates from the College of Charleston, vice president of the Hispanic Society of Charleston, and a reporter for the South Carolina's Latino newspaper. "She goes far beyond the walls of the high school," says Del Mastro. "She is involved with Spanish education in the Lowcountry at so many levels besides teaching at the high school."
With so many outstanding qualifications, was she surprised to win? "I was surprised to win the award because the other two finalists are also outstanding teachers," Anthony says. "I was pleased to know that such a diverse group of judges from different South Carolina institutions selected me. I view this award not as an end point but as a springboard for continuing to contribute to education and the community."
As part of the award, Anthony received over $1,000 in cash and other prizes.
* West Ashley's Independent Community Newspaper
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