Doug Byrnes of Kannapolis Middle School Earns Hilbish Teacher of the Month Award

Congratulations to the Hilbish Teacher of the Month, Doug Byrnes!

Tim Vaughn, General Manager for Hilbish Ford, presented the award to Mr. Byrnes during the recent Kannapolis City Schools Board of Education Meeting. KCS shared this message:

Doug Byrnes teaches social studies at Kannapolis Middle School. Besides inspiring students inside the classroom, Mr. Byrnes leads the KMS Quiz Bowl Team.

The parent that nominated Mr. Byrnes praised his unique ability to teach students life lessons that go beyond the standard curriculum. The parent observed Mr. Byrnes at the Reed Gold Mine Quiz Bowl competition and said this, “His love for teaching and his passion for history was evident. He encouraged the students and made sure they knew how proud he was of them for trying their best. He also made sure they understood that good sportsmanship was just as important as winning. One thing my son learned from Mr. Byrnes is that you can always be first at something, even if it is “first at the handshake” to congratulate the team or person who won. Mr. Byrnes has made learning social studies fun for my son this year. He has found a new passion for history that he has never had before. Mr. Byrnes is the type of teacher that leaves a lasting impression on his students. He challenges them but also motivates them to leave his classroom as a better student and person than they were before they came.”

Doug Byrnes epitomizes what it means to be a great teacher, and we’re extremely proud that he is part of our KCS family. We’re delighted that Hilbish Ford is honoring his excellence with the Hilbish Ford Outstanding Teacher Award for April. Congratulations!

Click here to nominate the next Teacher of the Month for Kannapolis City Schools.

Hilbish Ford Presents the First KCS Teacher of the Month Award for the 2018-19 School Year

Congratulations to Milton Matheny for receiving the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award for Kannapolis City Schools!

KCS shared, "Milton Matheny is an outstanding teacher and coach at Kannapolis Middle School. He is also an A.L. Brown graduate and a wonderful part of KCS. Mr. Matheny’s amazing influence can be felt not only at KMS but also in the community. The parent that nominated Mr. Matheny called him a great role model and an inspiration to his students. The parent said Mr. Matheny always has a positive attitude and encourages his students to persevere—even when the material is challenging. She also said Mr. Matheny inspires his students outside of the classroom. Her son is on the KMS Cross Country Team, which Mr. Matheny coaches. She said Mr. Matheny has motivated her son to become a better student and a better runner. Even more importantly, she said, he has given her son the motivation to become a better person.

This is the kind of extraordinary influence that makes public education special. We’re proud that Milton Matheny is part of our KCS family, and we’re delighted that Tim Vaughn of Hilbish Ford has honored his excellence with the Hilbish Award for September. Congratulations!"

Click here to nominate an outstanding KCS teacher for this award.

KMS Teacher Recognized for Life-Changing Impact on Student's Life

Congratulations to Sean Szakal for earning the Hilbish Teacher of the Month Award for April!

In the statement below, Kannapolis City Schools explains the impact Mr. Szakal had on one child in particular last school year:

Sean Szakal teaches 8th grade social studies at Kannapolis Middle School and coaches the boys’ soccer team. He is also a very positive influence on young people.

The parent who nominated Mr. Szakal explained how her son had not always made the best choices. However, she said Mr. Szakal changed her son’s life. She said she was moved at the caring way Mr. Szakal spoke with her son last school year about his concerns for him and his future. Mr. Szakal emphasized how important it was for her son to be on time and how her son’s absences not only affected him but also others. Since that conference, her son has made an incredible turn-around. The mom said that after her son finished 8th grade last June, he got a summer job with a landscaping company. Before he started his job, he mentioned how the advice from Coach Szakal was correct, and he didn’t want to make a bad impression. Her son was on time every day and saw how other workers’ absences impacted him and everyone else in the company. He saw first-hand how Mr. Szakal’s words had been true.

This school year at A.L. Brown, her son has been to school nearly every day, and mom says she never has to argue with her son for him to be at school on time. He has made the A/B honor roll every quarter and earned a 94 in science! She even got calls from one of his teachers saying her son had requested extra work in order to keep up his grades. The mom says it all goes back to Mr. Szakal and the incredible impact he had on her son.

This is the kind of extraordinary influence that makes teaching special and makes teachers such treasures. We’re proud that Coach Szakal is part of our KCS family, and we’re delighted that Hilbish Ford is honoring his excellence with the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award. Congratulations!

Click here to see how you can nominate an outstanding teacher at KCS!

Jackie Clark Honored as Hilbish Teacher of the Month

Congratulations to Jackie Clark for being the Hilbish Teacher of the Month for January!

Jackie Clark is an outstanding sixth grade teacher at Kannapolis Middle School. The parent that nominated Ms.Clark called her a wonderful teacher who is patient, caring, and encouraging to all of her students. The parent talked about her son who was extremely anxious about transitioning to middle school. She said that, thanks to Ms. Clark, her son comes home with a smile on his face every day and is excited to talk about what he has learned at school. She said, “He tells me often how he is glad to be in Mrs. Clark's class and how she is one of the best teachers he has ever had! Mrs. Clark is a positive role model and a great representation of the fantastic teachers of KCS!”

"We're delighted that she is part of our KCS family," stated Kannapolis City Schools, "and we are pleased that Tim Vaughn of Hilbish Ford has honored her with the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award. Congratulations!" 

Click here to read the original announcement from Kannapolis City Schools.

KCS Teacher Courtney Jenkins Receives Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award

Courtney Jenkins is an encouraging and passionate science teacher at Kannapolis Middle School and the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month for November.

Courtney makes her class interesting and exciting so students enjoy learning. One of her current seventh grade students gave her high praise: “The best part of Mrs. Jenkins teaching is that she really likes science! We learn a lot. She answers my questions, and she really makes it interesting.” This has made the student’s transition to middle school much easier. The student's mom commended Courtney for the way she greeted her son in such a welcoming way from their first meeting at open house. The student was immediately comfortable and felt confident coming to middle school on the first day.

Courtney is always there to make sure her students have a safe and caring learning environment, and she takes time to address any concerns they have. She also communicates well with parents, which creates a support team that helps her students learn and grow.

Congratulations Courtney and thank you for going above and beyond for our children. Hilbish Ford proudly sponsors Kannapolis City Schools' teacher recognition program. Each month, a nominated teacher receives $300 from Hilbish Ford as well as recognition at that month's Board of Education meeting.

Click here to nominate a KCS teacher for the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award.