Kristi Martin, a 4th grade teacher at Westside Elementary, was named the Roanoke City Public Schools Teacher of the Year during the annual Teacher of the Year celebration held at the Jefferson Center on Thursday, April 28. The event celebrated all schools’ teachers of the year and included naming the three finalists:
TEACHER OF THE YEAR: Kristi Martin
Westside Elementary School
4th Grade Teacher
2nd PLACE FINALIST: Eric Roberts
Round Hill Elementary School
Title I Resource Teacher
3rd PLACE FINALIST: Jeffrey Williams
Lucy Addison Middle School
Math 8 and Algebra I Teacher
Superintendent Verletta White commended the 28 schools’ Teachers of the Year for all they do to support their students. “You are a shining example that when we are one, we can do inspiring and amazing things in support of our students,” Mrs. White said.
A committee made up of Roanoke City Public Schools employees, retirees, and last year’s Teacher of the Year reviewed the Teacher of the Year nominations and selected the finalists and RCPS Teacher of the Year.
The judges commented that all three finalists stood out for their exceptional commitment to improving the lives of their students both inside and outside of the classroom, and all showcased a genuine “servant” mindset. Their goals were clearly to prepare their students for success in school and in life by truly meeting student needs so learning can happen. The judges were struck by Ms. Martin’s joy, enthusiasm, and absolute dedication to Roanoke City Public Schools.
Ms. Martin has taught at Westside Elementary for 13 years. Prior to joining RCPS, she worked for Sylvan Learning and Honey Tree Early Learning Centers. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia.
“Our students need us; it’s what I love, finding out how to solve the challenges,” Ms. Martin said. “My students need me and deserve the joy I bring to them as I try to connect them to learning. Roanoke City Public Schools allows teachers to teach in ways to leverage our own strengths on behalf of students. With RCPS teachers, it is truly all hands on deck, working as a team to make our students successful.”
Ms. Martin is the 4th Grade Team Leader at Westside, serves on the School lmprovement Team Committee, and has mentored student teachers as well as new teachers at Westside. In addition, her classroom has been used to show other RCPS teachers how to implement the new reading curriculum, “Wit and Wisdom,” and showcase the curriculum to a neighboring school division and professors from Radford University.
Ms. Martin received a $1,000 check from Teacher of the Year sponsor Member One Federal Credit Union. She will now compete for Region 6 Teacher of the Year. Other Teacher of the Year sponsors included second place sponsor ESS and third place sponsors Hughes Associates Architects & Engineers and Trane.
