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On Thursday, August 23, faculty and staff of Richmond County Schools gathered at Richmond Senior High to celebrate the start of a brand new school year and the 2017-2018 nominees for Teacher of the Year.

 

Teachers nominated included: Kristen Perakis, representing Cordova Middle Schools; Ismael Gomez from Hamlet Middle; Kelsey Bailey, representing West Rockingham Elementary; Brenna Wyatt, Richmond Ninth Grade Academy; Esthela Pacheco from Mineral Springs Elementary; Cassie Cloninger from Monroe Avenue Elementary; James Chad McCurry, representing Richmond Senior High; Christine Haber, representing the Eagles at Washington Street; Rockingham Rocket, Ashley Lupfer; Tina Williams from Fairview Heights; Yolanda Sawyer, representing East Rockingham Elementary; Derek Anderson of Ellerbe Middle; Gretchen Grooms of Richmond Early College High School; Tina Pittman, representing L.J. Bell, and Benny Leviner of the Ashley Chapel Educational Center. 

 

Shortly after a speech given by Superintendent, Dr. Cindy Goodman, Associate Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Maples recognized 20 educators who had not missed a day for the entire school year. Executive Director of Human Resources, Dr. Julian Carter then called on Derrick Watkins, Assistant Principal of the Richmond Ninth Grade Academy to come forth and be recognized as the districts new Principal of the Year.

 

Executive Director of Auxilary Services, Dennis Quick also took to the podium to recognize an individual best-known for her leadership and passion for students, Mrs. Kate Smith. Smith was then named as the 2017-2018 Principal of the Year.

 

Blake Altman, Owner of Evolution Health Club of Rockingham, presented Ashley Chapel Teacher of the Year, Benny Leviner with a membership to his gym, an EHC t-shirt, meal prep kits, and a slick decal for his vehicle. 

 

With much-anticipation, Scott Altman of Griffin Nissan was the last to speak, describing an educator with 22-years of experience in kindergarten. That individual was none other than Yolanda Sawyer, from East Rockingham Elementary School. Ms. Sawyer received a brand new vehicle of her choice, courtesy of Griffin, and the title of Richmond County Schools' 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year.