Posted by dreynold on February 16, 2009 | RSS Feed
Calhoun County 4-H Leader Receives Top Award
In 2001, Ruth Sarro, a regional agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension, asked Donna Riddle, now a 4th grade teacher, if she would be a 4-H leader at Coldwater Elementary School. The program had been discontinued for a few years, but Riddle agreed to give it a try for one year.
Eight years later, Riddle still heads up the 4-H program at Coldwater. Every year, her
4-H club has been rated one of the top five clubs in Calhoun County, earning a total of 10 trophies.
Riddle recently earned the 4-H Teacher of the Year Award in recognition of her continuing support of the Calhoun County 4-H program. She received a trophy and a
4-H wall plaque. A huge Auburn football fan, she also was surprised with an autographed football signed by former Auburn University coach Tommy Tuberville.
Riddle believes in 4-H for its personal growth of each club member. "Using 4-H projects as important means for achievement and growth, members build skills they can use the rest of their lives,” she says. “4-H educational experiences are built around life skills that center on positive self-esteem, communication and decision making. Learning citizenship and leadership skills, and the ability to cope with change also are important parts of the 4-H educational program. Life skills built into 4-H projects, activities and events help participants become contributing, productive, self-directed members of a
forward moving society."
The 4-H Teacher of the Year Award is sponsored by the Anniston Rotary Club and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
