District chooses top teacher of year

PALMER -- Longtime Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District teacher Rita Davis is this year's recipient of the 2004-05 Mat-Su Teacher of the Year Award, a distinction held for teachers of the highest quality who excel as educators.

"One of the highest qualities of a teacher I know of is someone who is recognized as a teacher of teachers, and [Davis] has that quality," said Mike Chmielewski, president of the school board. "One of Davis' qualities in the letters of recommendation was about her persistence, not in a stubborn way, but a persistence while really being kind."

Davis, who began working in the district in 1981, is a special education teacher at Swanson Elementary School. Along with the award, the Mat-Su Educators Association honored Davis' achievement with a check for $500 and two extra days of paid union leave.

"I'm extremely honored to receive this award, it is always very humbling to be recognized by your peers," said Davis, after receiving the award at the school board meeting on June 2. "I feel very privileged to work in this district and I'm honored to be a Mat-Su teacher."

The Mat-Su Teacher of the Year Award is a precursor to state and national teacher of the year awards. To receive the district's award, a teacher must be nominated, then collect three letters of recommendation, along with filling out an extensive packet of information on his or her teaching career. The packet includes essays on teaching philosophy, classroom and professional activities beyond the classroom and a community message the teacher would present if selected as the teacher of the year.

Fourteen teachers were nominated for this year's award, and 12 returned completed portfolios to compete for the honor.

"This nomination is not for the weak of heart," explained Pat Truman, the district's professional development coordinator.

Aside from her work in special education, Davis is involved with the teacher evaluation procedure on both a state and district level. She chairs the teacher evaluation procedure committee in the district, and has sat on the state committee since its inception. But while she works on the administrative side through these committees, Davis said her first priority is to the kids.

"I find it fascinating to figure out how kids learn. All kids can learn, we just need to figure out the best strategies," Davis said. "That's why I could never go into administration, I'm all about the kids. To me, the classroom is the most positive place to be to make a difference."

Contact Jen Ransom at jen.ransom@frontiersman.com.