ROCK HALL — Each school has announced its winner of the annual Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year awards.
Every year, Kent County Public Schools honors a top teacher and support employee. In the months leading up to the big announcement, each school recognizes a pair of staff members.
This year's school awards presentations were held mid-March. Dr. Karen Couch, superintendent of Kent County Public Schools, was joined by administrators in surprising each of the winners.
"We are so proud to have such outstanding employees as part of our work family. Each one has worked tirelessly to make a difference in our schools. I appreciate their dedication and passion for their jobs," Couch said.
This year's honorees for each school are:
• Kent County High School: Engineering Teacher Brett King and Instructional Assistant Laura Johnson
• Kent County Middle School: Science Teacher Karen Carty and Instructional Assistant Peggy Brown
• Galena Elementary School: Second-Grade Teacher Erin Legg and School Secretary Stephanie Krastel
• H.H. Garnet Elementary School: Fourth-Grade Teacher Courtney Spiering and Cafeteria Manager Christine Cox
• Rock Hall Elementary School: Special Education Teacher Lori Receski and Custodian James Cornelius Jr.
• Central Office Support Employee of the Year: Student Services Secretary LaKesha Hoxter.
The Kent County Public Schools Teacher of the Year and Support Employee of the Year awards will be announced at a special event later this spring in the Kent County High School auditorium.
In addition, the annual Promising Educator Award will be given that evening to a teacher who has been in the classroom for no more than three years.
This year's nominees are Special Education Teacher Alixandria Murphy and First-Grade Teacher Rebeka Vansant, both at Galena Elementary School, and Special Education Teacher Katelyn Boardman at Rock Hall Elementary School.
"We are very proud to announce our three finalists for the Promising Educator Award," said Dan Hushion, supervisor of human resources. "All three finalists bring outstanding attributes with them, allowing them to reach the social, emotional and academic needs of their students. We look forward to watching each of these candidates grow and remain excited to see the positive impact they will have on all current and future KCPS students."
Galena Elementary School  Principal Becky Yoder, left, with Teacher of the Year Erin Legg (Second Grade) |
| Galena Elementary School  Principal Becky Yoder, left, with Support Employee of the Year Stephanie Krastel (School Secretary) |
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H.H. Garnet Elementary School  Principal Brenda Rose, left, with Teacher of the Year Courtney Spiering (Fourth Grade)
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| H.H. Garnet Elementary School  Support Employee of the Year Christina Cox (Cafeteria Manager), center, with, from left, Supervisor of Human Resources Dan Hushion, Director of Teaching and Learning Gina Jachimowicz, Superintendent Dr. Karen Couch and Principal Brenda Rose |
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Rock Hall Elementary School  Teacher of the Year Lori Receski (Special Education), center, with Principal Gillian Spero, left, and Superintendent Dr. Karen Couch
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| Rock Hall Elementary School  Support Employee of the Year James Cornelius Jr. (Custodian), center, with, from left, Supervisor of Human Resources Dan Hushion, Principal Gillian Spero, Director of Teaching and Learning Gina Jachimowicz and Superintendent Dr. Karen Couch |
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Kent County Middle School  Principal Dr. Angela Holocker, left, with Teacher of the Year Karen Carty (Science) |
| Kent County Middle School Principal Dr. Angela Holocker, left, with Support Employee of the Year Peggy Brown (Instructional Assistant) |
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Kent County High School  Teacher of the Year Brett King (Engineering), second from right, with, from left, Principal Kris Hemstetter, Assistant Principal Aaron Pretlow and Assistant Principal Brian Derrickson
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| Kent County High School  Support Employee of the Year Laura Johnson (Instructional Assistant), second from right, with, from left, Principal Kris Hemstetter, Assistant Principal Aaron Pretlow and Assistant Principal Brian Derrickson |
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Central Office Central Office Support Employee of the Year LaKesha Hoxter (Student Services Secretary), second from right, with, from left, Supervisor of Human Resources Dan Hushion, Supervisor of Student Services and Secondary Education Tracey Williams and Superintendent Dr. Karen Couch |
| Promising Educator nominee  Promising Educator Award nominee Special Education Teacher Katelyn Boardman (Rock Hall Elementary School), second from left, with, from left, Director of Teaching and Learning Gina Jachimowicz, Supervisor of Human Resources Dan Hushion, Superintendent Dr. Karen Couch and Principal Gillian Spero |
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Promising Educator nominee  Promising Educator Award nominee Special Education Teacher Alixandria Murphy (Galena Elementary School), center, with, from left, Principal Becky Yoder, Superintendent Dr. Karen Couch, Supervisor of Human Resources Dan Hushion and Director of Teaching and Learning Gina Jachimowicz |
| Promising Educator nominee  Promising Educator Award nominee First-Grade Teacher Rebeka Vansant (Galena Elementary School), center, with, from left, Supervisor of Human Resources Dan Hushion, Principal Becky Yoder, Superintendent Dr. Karen Couch and Director of Teaching and Learning Gina Jachimowicz |