Asheboro City Schools is excited to announce Ms. Leigha Banner, fifth-grade teacher from Donna Lee Loflin Elementary School, as the 2021-2022 ACS Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made during the May meeting of the Asheboro City Board of Education. Dr. Aaron Woody, Superintendent, recognized all Teacher of the Year candidates before announcing this year’s winner.
“It’s with great pleasure that I introduce the 2021-2022 Asheboro City Schools Teacher of the Year, Ms. Leigha Banner,” said Dr. Woody. “Ms. Banner embodies the spirit of Asheboro City Schools. She is an equity warrior, seeing it has her mission and duty to advocate on behalf of all students, especially students of color. Congratulations Ms. Banner!”
Dr. Woody also named the district’s Teacher of the Year finalist, Ms. Rebecca Kidd from Charles W. McCrary Elementary School. “By working with many of our youngest learners for over 20 years, it’s easy to say our Teacher of the Year finalist is truly invested in the academic and personal success of our students and their families,” he said of Ms. Kidd.
About the Winner:
Ms. Leigha Banner has been teaching in Asheboro City Schools since 2015 and is currently teaching fifth grade. Since starting with ACS, Ms. Banner has earned AIG certification, graduated from the Teacher Leadership Academy, and participated in numerous trainings on equity, autism, and reading foundational skills. She has also earned esteemed recognition as one of the top 25 percent of teachers across North Carolina for student reading proficiency scores. Ms. Banner sets high expectations for all her students and she is an advocate for creating equitable classrooms and incorporating diversity through literacy instruction.
About the Finalist:
Ms. Rebecca Kidd has taught kindergarten students at Charles W. McCrary Elementary School for the last 21 years. She has earned a number of recognitions and held many leadership positions within the school. Ms. Kidd believes teaching is a calling and that it is her responsibility to lay the foundation for a love of learning and high expectations. Through the years, Ms. Kidd has had the opportunity to connect with and cultivate relationships with students and families. During her interview, Ms. Kidd shared about the time when she was conducting a home visit and she noticed her school picture located among family members on the family photo wall. Evidently, that family considered Ms. Kidd part of their family!
The Board extended congratulations to all school-level winners which included: Wendy Graham from Asheboro High School; Mary Jo Pryzybylowski from Balfour Elementary School; Rebecca Kidd from Charles W. McCrary Elementary School; Leigha Banner from Donna Lee Loflin Elementary School; Joyce Ivan from our Early Childhood Development Center; Denise Nixon from Guy B. Teachey Elementary School; Leslie Smith from Lindley Park Elementary School; Donna Purkerson from South Asheboro Middle School; and Lora Ritter from North Asheboro Middle School.
For more information about Asheboro City Schools Teacher of the Year, please call Leigh Anna Marbert at (336) 625-5104.