Amanda Watson, a special education teacher at McHenry Primary School, recently won the Haberman Award from the National Association of Alternative Certification.  She received the honor at the organization’s annual conference in Atlanta.

The Haberman award, which is given to a teacher who has done outstanding work with at-risk children, was given to Watson after her yearlong practicum in a classroom environment with preschool special education students.

Amanda Watson came to the classroom through the alternative certification route.  She graduated from Shorter with a degree in psychology with the plan to pursue a career in a related field.  Watson moved away from Rome for a few years and got her masters degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Watson worked as a therapist before returning to Rome in 2005.  On returning to Rome, she decided to use her skills to help children in the classroom and took a position in a special education class at McHenry Primary.

After a year of hard work, Watson finished her certification, and continues to teach at McHenry.

In applying for the Haberman Award, Watson was required to write a 500-word essay and submit a short video clip of herself teaching to her class.  

IN receiving the Haberman Award, Watson received a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to present at the National Association of Alternative Certification annual conference.