Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

October 9, 2008 Thursday

SLIDELL PICAYUNE; Pg. 13

377 words

Slidell Junior High educator is honored;
Teacher recognized for labor of love

By Carol Wolfram, St. Tammany bureau

Slidell Junior High School seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics/special education teacher Adam Kemp was singled out for special recognition last Thursday when he was named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year and presented an assortment of special gifts for him and his school.

Nominated for the honor with 22 other St. Tammany Parish teachers by store shoppers during a two-week period, Kemp was chosen as the most deserving by a review committee composed of Wal-Mart employees.

In recognition of his achievement, Kemp received a plaque, a $100 cash prize for use in his classroom, and a $1,000 cash award for his school. He and his wife, Rebecca, an eighth-grade English and language arts teacher at Slidell Junior High, also each received baskets brimming with gifts and a giant cake that was shared with guests including Kemps' principal, Brennan McCurley; Adam Kemp's mother, Sandra Kemp of Bogalusa; and Wal-Mart team members.

Kemp, a member of the Bogalusa School Board, has been a teacher for 15 years, the past four of which have been at Slidell Junior High School.

"It was a shock and an honor to receive this recognition for doing something I love," Kemp said. "I try to teach my children what they need to know to succeed in life at a career -- not just a job. A career is something you look forward to, that you love, as I do mine."

Kemp gave special thanks to the support and inspiration provided by his parents, Doug and Sandra Kemp; his "right-hand person" at school, paraeducator Carmen Olivard; and his wife.

Not surprised at Kemp's recognition was his principal. "We've got a hardworking staff," McCurley said.

Kemp previously has been honored with the Southeastern Louisiana University Student Teacher of the Year award, the Columbia Street Magnate School Teacher of the Year, and the Slidell Junior High Teacher of the Year.

According to assistant store manager Bernie Sponsel, the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year program was started in 1995 and, since that time, 30,000 teachers have been so honored and more than $29 million has been infused into education systems throughout the nation.

"Teachers make a difference in the lives of their students every day," Sponsel said.

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Carol Wolfram can be reached at cwolfram@timespicayune.com or 985.645.2857.

Slidell Junior High School seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics/special education teacher Adam Kemp was named Teacher of the Year and presented an assortment of special gifts last Thursday by Wal-Mart on Natchez Drive in Slidell. Pictured are, from left, Slidell Junior High School Principal Brennan McCurley Adam Kemp and his wife, Rebecca, also a teacher at Slidell Junior High, and store manager Charles Englade.

October 9, 2008