Mrs. Katie Moreland, a 4th grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher at Lucy Wortham James Elementary, has been named the St. James R-1 School District's 2022-23 Teacher of the Year. Fourth-grade students gathered to surprise Mrs. Moreland as Mr. Copeland (LWJE Principal), Mr. Webster, and Dr. Williams presented her award.
"It is an honor to recognize Katie Moreland as our Teacher of the Year," said Superintendent Tim Webster. "Katie is an amazing teacher who truly cares about her students' growth, both academically and emotionally. Her dedication to the students aligns with the St. James R-1 School District's mission of empowering them through nurturing relationships, academic excellence, and community partnerships. Katie's tireless efforts make a real difference in her students' lives, and her commitment to academic excellence and community collaboration truly embodies the values of the district."
Moreland has been teaching for the St. James R-1 School District for eleven years. According to one of her colleagues, "Katie is an outstanding teacher who goes above and beyond to ensure her students' success. She has worked hard to continue developing the LWJE Beta Club which gives students further opportunities for service to their school and community. She's a great example of Living the Tiger Way!"
"I strongly believe that every child has the potential to succeed," shared Moreland. "As an ELA teacher, I am passionate about teaching my students the skills they need to communicate effectively and express themselves through reading and writing. However, my ultimate goal is to foster a safe and supportive school community where all students feel valued. Through my work with Beta and 4th grade, I enjoy encouraging kids to be excellent peer leaders and empowering them to be contributors to our local and global communities. It's such an incredible honor to be recognized as the Teacher of the Year for the St. James R-1 School District."