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.

A.L. Brown HS Teacher Earns Hilbish Teacher of the Month Award for March 2019

We would like to congratulate Mr. James Busse for earning the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award for Kannapolis City Schools! We are so proud of your achievements and we're thankful to have teachers like you in our community! 

Kannapolis City Schools shared this message: 

"James Busse is an amazing, versatile, and dedicated teacher at A.L. Brown High School. He is the school’s Carpentry teacher, and he helps coach the Wonders’ championship cheerleading squad. Mr. Busse makes a positive impact on students all across A.L. Brown.

The parent who nominated Mr. Busse praised his patience and excellence in teaching her son with special needs. She said, “My son, who is in the Occupational Course of Study Program with high functioning Autism, had Mr. Busse for Carpentry during the first semester of this school year. My son absolutely loved this class and loved Mr. Busse. While using caution with specific tools, Mr. Busse allowed my son to learn and participate in class just like the rest of the students. The self-confidence my child gained from being in the class has been fantastic. Mr. Busse always provides a huge smile, a warm welcome into his classroom, and positive attitude. He mailed postcards to my child congratulating him on passing his exam, his hardworking attitude, and his willingness to try new things. Mr. Busse is an outstanding teacher. His kindness has been heartwarming, and he is a true asset to A.L. Brown High School.”

James Busse 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 March. Congratulations!"

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

Rolonda Morgan is February's Hilbish Ford Outstanding Teacher for Kannapolis City Schools

Congratulations to our February 2019 Teacher of the Month for Kannapolis City Schools, Rolonda Morgan!!

Kannapolis City Schools shared this about Rolonda:
"Rolonda Morgan is a native of Kannapolis, a product of Kannapolis City Schools, and an amazing special education teacher at Shady Brook Elementary. She is one of the rare winners of the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award who earned nominations from three different families. All of the nominations touched on Ms. Morgan’s incredible love and patience with her students and her willingness to do whatever is necessary to meet their needs. They also talked about how she makes parents part of their children’s education. One of the nominations said, “Mrs. Morgan truly understands her students and what they need to help them learn. She understands they will have bad days, and she somehow makes it better. My son and I have been blessed with her for kindergarten and first grade. He truly loves school and can’t wait to see his teacher.” Another nomination praised her communication with parents, and the third nomination said in part, “Above all, she is patient with special children.” One of the nominations summed it up when it said, “She loves what she does, and the kids love her too!”

We’re extremely proud that Rolonda Morgan has remained part our KCS family from her time as a student to becoming an outstanding teacher, and we’re delighted that Tim Vaughn of Hilbish Ford has honored her with the Hilbish Ford Outstanding Teacher Award for February. Congratulations!"

Click here to nominate the next Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month for KCS.

Courtney Ryczek Earns Hilbish Ford Outstanding Teacher Award

Earlier this month, the Teacher of the Month Award for Kannapolis City Schools was awarded to Courtney Ryczek of Forest Park Elementary!

Kannapolis City Schools shared: 

"Courtney Ryczek is an amazing and versatile 5th grade teacher at Forest Park Elementary. Until recently, Mrs. Ryczek taught second grade at Forest Park. Her nomination came from a parent whose son had her in second grade. The parent said Ms. Ryczek made an incredible difference in her son’s life. According to the parent, her son left first grade without a love for school. However, they enrolled him at Forest Park, and her son had Ms. Ryczek in second grade. The parent said that with Ms. Ryczek, her son started to love school and learning. He never wanted to miss school because he would miss his teacher. She said that Ms. Ryczek stimulated her son’s heart and his brain, and he is now thriving in third grade. In her words, “Because of Ms. Ryczek’s authentic love for her students, our son’s educational track was changed. We will always be grateful for Ms. Ryczek!”

We’re extremely proud that Courtney Ryczek is part of our KCS family, and we’re delighted that Hilbish Ford has honored her with the Hilbish Ford Outstanding Teacher Award for January. Congratulations!"

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

Emanuel Gonzalez Honored as Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month - December 2018

Congratulations to Emanuel Gonzalez for earning the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month for Kannapolis City Schools in December 2018!

Kannapolis City Schools shared this message about Emanuel: 

"Emanuel Gonzalez teaches math at A.L. Brown High School. He is the kind of teacher that all parents want their children to have. The parent who nominated Mr. Gonzalez praised him for helping her son after an injury caused her son to miss two days of school. She said that not only did Mr. Gonzalez make sure the make-up work was delivered but he also included a get well card, a smiling photo of himself holding the make-up work folder, plus several tickets that he gives to students as encouragement or rewards. On another occasion, her son used the “Remind” app to contact Mr. Gonzalez with a question about homework. Mr. Gonzalez responded immediately. The parent said Mr. Gonzalez has an amazing teaching style that goes beyond expectations to meet all of his students’ needs. His lessons are exciting, engaging and help his students not only learn high school math but also remember and internalize it. The parent put it this way: “Students love Mr. Gonzalez and students learn from Mr. Gonzalez. He certainly deserves to be the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month!”

We agree, and we’re extremely proud that Emanuel Gonzalez is part of our KCS family. We’re delighted that Hilbish Ford has honored him with the Hilbish Award for December. Congratulations!"

Click here to nominate the next teacher of the month for Kannapolis City Schools.

Read original article by KCS here.

Brittany Banks of G.W. Carver Elementary Earns Hilbish Teacher Award

Congratulations to Brittany Banks for earning the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award for November 2018!

Kannapolis City Schools shared: "Brittany Banks is an amazing kindergarten teacher at G.W. Carver Elementary School. She is a master educator whose talent truly stands out. In 2016, Ms. Banks was named Kannapolis City Schools’ Teacher of the Year when she was part of the Shady Brook staff. Now, she has moved to G.W. Carver, where a new set of parents can experience her excellence and passion for teaching.

Ms. Banks is the first teacher from G.W. Carver to win the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award. The parent who nominated Ms. Banks complimented her enthusiasm, sensitivity to students’ needs, and her warmness towards the children in her classroom. The mom said, “Ms. Banks has made my daughter’s first year incredible, and my daughter loves to go to school every day!”

Having that kind of impact on children and building such a deep love of learning is why Brittany Banks is such a special teacher. We’re extremely proud that Brittany is part of our KCS family, and we’re delighted that Tim Vaughn of Hilbish Ford has honored her excellence with the Outstanding Teacher of the Month Award for November. Congratulations!"

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

Jill Trexler Earns Hilbish Teacher of the Month Award for KCS

Congrulations to Jill Trexler for earning the October Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month Award for
Kannapolis City Schools! 

"Jill Trexler is an amazing first grade teacher at Shady Brook Elementary. She is among a select group of Hilbish Award winners who received multiple nominations from parents. All the nominations glowed with praise for Ms. Trexler’s caring, dedication, positive attitude, and the way she inspires children.

One parent called Ms. Trexler “a shining light to all her students.” The parent said, “Ms. Trexler is patient and loving and treats my son like her own. She has made first grade an amazing year, and we are beyond grateful for her dedication and passion.” Another parent said that Ms. Trexler made her daughter, who was new to the school, feel extremely welcome. She also praised Ms. Trexler for being so responsive to questions. Yet another parent had two children who both had Ms. Trexler. Her nomination said, “Ms. Trexler always has a smile and makes the students feel loved and appreciated. Everyone I talk with always has something good to say about her. The compliments I hear about Ms. Trexler are awesome. She is truly an inspiration and a remarkable teacher.”

This is the kind of dedication, caring, and influence that makes public education special. We’re proud that Jill Trexler is part of our KCS family, and we’re delighted that Hilbish Ford has honored her excellence with the Outstanding Teacher Award for October. Congratulations!"

Click here to nominate the next Teacher of the Month for KCS. 

Read the original message from KCS here.