Kaicey Manns, a math teacher at James Breckinridge Middle School, was named Roanoke City Public Schools’ (RCPS) Teacher of the Year during the annual celebration held at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The event celebrated all schools’ Teachers of the Year and included naming the three finalists:
Teacher of the year: Kaicey Manns, Math teacher at James Breckinridge Middle School; 2nd place finalist: Jeremiah Riesenbeck, Economics/Personal Finance Teacher at Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC); and 3rd place finalist: Paul Bielema, Science Teacher, Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy.
Superintendent Dr. Verletta White commended the 29 schools’ Teachers of the Year for all they do to support their students. “We know what our students need from us goes far beyond those ABCs and 123s. It’s the care, the concern, the connection, the compassion. Those are the marks of a true teacher,” she said. “Not just anyone can do what we do – and no one can take that impact away.”
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 noted that all three finalists stood out for the extent to which their personal backgrounds inform their approach to teaching, as evidenced by the creation of strong, trusting relationships with their students. All three exhibit a true “We Are One” mentality by focusing on the needs of their students and lifting up their colleagues.
The judges were particularly struck by Manns’ ability to place herself in her students’ shoes and create such a positive, inclusive classroom culture. As a middle school math teacher, she plays a critical role in ensuring her students have a strong foundation that will set them up to succeed for the rest of their time in school and beyond. The judges noted that. Manns takes this role seriously and employs a variety of methods to engage her students, from incorporating them into math problems to having them learn from one another through interactive activities. She strives to teach not just the answer, but also the “why” and “how.”
The judges said that Manns exemplifies what it means to know RCPS students “by name, need, and strength,” as Dr. White often calls on teachers and staff to do. Furthermore, Manns serves in multiple school leadership roles to support her colleagues, including as math department chair and a school mentor.
Manns has 11 years of service in education, all of which are with RCPS at James Breckinridge Middle School. She stated, “Everything I am today is literally because of Roanoke City.”
Manns received $1,000 from the 1st Place Teacher of the Year sponsor, ESS. She will now compete for Virginia’s Region 6 Teacher of the Year. Other Teacher of the Year sponsors included second-place sponsor Alliant Insurance Services and third-place sponsor Hughes Associates Architects & Engineers. Proximity Learning also provided gifts to all nominees.
