Home News NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING TEACHER ADDS NEW HONOR TO INDUCTION YEAR IN THE CLASSROOM

NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING TEACHER ADDS NEW HONOR TO INDUCTION YEAR IN THE CLASSROOM

2/15/2021

Kaitlin Jones, Rice Creek Elementary School first grade teacher, is the latest winner of the Rookie Teacher of the Block (RTOB) award. She is the January 2021 RTOB. Rice Creek assistant principal Denise Webster nominated her for the award because she says Jones pushes her colleagues to practice a growth mindset on curricular planning.

“One example was her efforts to have the team celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day as opposed to just Christopher Columbus Day to highlight people of different races and cultures. Also, when planning for the Holidays Around the World activities, she spearheaded the efforts to expand the teaching of cultural traditions and practices while highlighting non-traditional countries as well as countries representative of our school community,” said Webster.

Jones says being recognized by her school and district for creating culturally relevant and sustaining lesson plans for first graders has been such an honor.

“The work that I have done this year has been difficult and overwhelming at times, but it's been flattering and humbling to be recognized for the work I do in culturally relevant education. I am excited to continue developing work that is meaningful, impactful, and most of all, beneficial to my students, while continuing to build upon and strengthen my teaching practices at Rice Creek,” said Jones.

Jones graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Urban Education. She is a co-recipient of the 2020 Donald H. Graves Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Writing presented by the National Council of Teachers of English.

RTOB winners receive a plaque to hang outside their door, a nameplate for the door, discounted tax preparation from H&R Block, a unique trophy designed by the 3D printing class at the Richland Two Institute of Innovation (R2i2), and a bag of Richland Two goodies from Human Resources. Each month a RTOB is chosen and then an overall winner, Rookie Teacher of the Year, is selected. The award is sponsored by H&R Block, a dedicated partner of the district.