Franklin County Schools issued the following announcement on Jan. 4.
Rachel McKeithan is blazing a new trail in the succession of McKeithan educators in
Franklin County. The second year, 4th grade math teacher has been selected as a finalist for the
North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) 2022 Prudential NC Beginning
Teacher of the Year Award in honor of her dedication, innovation, and ability to inspire students to
achieve. After a brief round of phone tag, Mrs. McKeithan was able to get a personalized phone call
congratulating her on the honor. Some of her colleagues cheered silently from across the hall as
Mrs. McKeithan gave them the thumbs up that she had been selected. Mrs. McKeithan was already
humbly appointed as grade chair this school year. To be nominated and then chosen as beginning
teacher of the year for her school turned district and now a state finalist is a surreal moment for her.
"I'm so excited it still doesn't really feel all that real, but I feel honored and blessed to be represented
by the county and then to be a finalist. I'm looking forward to the professional development and
getting to learn more. I'll also enjoy being around other people that the state feels are qualified to represent the beginning teacher program,"
says Mrs. McKeithan. Many people recognize the consistent energy that she brings to the learning environment from observations.
Colleagues, administrators, and others who pass by her class all notice the dynamic teaching that takes place. "I am ecstatic that Mrs.
McKeithan has been selected as a finalist for NCCAT's Beginning Teacher of the Year. Mrs. McKeithan is a dedicated teacher with a true
passion for educating elementary students. She utilizes innovative teaching strategies that engage all learners, and she builds positive
relationships with each student in her class." says Mrs. Pachette Dunn, principal of Long Mill Elementary. Mrs. McKeithan loves to use whiteboards for instruction. "I want
them to be able to move thru the problems quickly then try to build back that stamina in working
through problems. I can pull up a problem, and then my students can do it in real-time.
I can easily see the mistakes, and they are quickly corrected," says Mrs. McKeithan. The quick
assessment and feedback allow her to pick up on what they're doing incorrectly and any
misconceptions. Her teaching philosophy, in general, is to develop a love for learning in all students.
Mrs. McKeithan believes it is essential to learn, build your knowledge, and become a lifelong learner.
Mrs. McKeithan will receive a week of professional development and a special night to honor the
teaching profession as a finalist.
The award is scheduled to be presented on February 17, 2022, at
the Bardo Center on the Western Carolina University campus. "I am thrilled that Rachel McKeithan
has been selected as a finalist for NCCAT's Beginning Teacher of the Year. Mrs. McKeithan is a
dynamic teacher. She values her students and is passionate about teaching and learning. Mrs.
McKeithan goes above and beyond to build relationships with her students and their families. These
relationships foster strong student engagement in her classroom and foster a love of learning in the
hearts of her students.
Franklin County Schools is fortunate to have Mrs. McKeithan as a part of our
school family." says Freda Clifton, Executive Director of Personnel and Equity.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Franklin County Schools
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