North Kitsap teachers recognized for outstanding work

A group of North Kitsap educators were recently recognized for their outstanding contributions to student learning during the North Kitsap Teacher of the Year Awards on May 23.

Melissa Rogers, President of the North Kitsap Teacher of the Year Committee presented the awards to the honorees.

The 2019 Rookie of the Year award was given to Lauren Eyer, of Gordon Elementary, where she has been teaching kindergarten for nearly three years. According to Rogers, Eyer was described by her nominator as “’quiet and competent, thoughtful and thorough.’” The nominator also noted Eyer’s weekly newsletters she sends home, letting parents know what is going on in the classroom and advising of ways they can support their students at home.

Prior to teaching, Eyer worked as a para-educator at Clallam Bay School. It was here that she was encouraged by staff to pursue her teaching degree.

The Secondary Teacher of the Year award was presented to North Kitsap High School’s Tim Adams. Adams, a history teacher, was nominated by both students and parents for going above and beyond as a teacher and a coach. Adams was also recognized for the study skills he teaches students in all of their classes. “Both students and parents note it is evident how much he cares about his students,” Rogers said of Adams at the event. Rogers also noted Adams’ enthusiasm and sense of humor. “To quote another parent, ‘He is a teacher that a majority of the students enjoy, admire and respect.’ These qualities are what make Tim Adams our Secondary Teacher of the Year,” Rogers said.

The 2019 Elementary Teacher of the Year award goes to Kjersti Johnson of Poulsbo Elementary, where she has been teaching kindergarten for 10 years. Johnson has also instituted a supplemental reading program which is being employed in multiple classrooms. According to Rogers, Johnson’s nominator said she “’has watched many overwhelmed, unsure students enter [her] classroom and come out confident, strong, excited learners.’”

The North Kitsap Teacher of the Year Awards are operated through a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and honoring teachers in the North Kitsap area who go above and beyond to educate and inspire their students.

The awards honor elementary and secondary level teachers, as well as a “Rookies” who have been teaching for fewer than five years but are already making a great impact on student learning. This year the Rookie award was community supported and sponsored by Integrity Roofing & Construction.

Lauren Eyer of Richard Gordon Elementary was recently recognized with the Mark Nazarino Rookie of the Year Award. Photo courtesy North Kitsap Teacher of the Year.

Lauren Eyer of Richard Gordon Elementary was recently recognized with the Mark Nazarino Rookie of the Year Award. Photo courtesy North Kitsap Teacher of the Year.

Kjersti Johnson of Poulsbo Elementary was recently recognized as North Kitsap’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. Photo courtesy of North Kitsap Teacher of the Year.

Kjersti Johnson of Poulsbo Elementary was recently recognized as North Kitsap’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. Photo courtesy of North Kitsap Teacher of the Year.