Madelyn McKissack, a counselor at Glasgow Elementary School, was named the Riverview Gardens School District Teacher of the Year.
McKissack has served as a counselor at Glasgow for four years. As Glasgow’s counselor, she delivers guidance lessons biweekly, covering various topics such as friendship building, social skills, bullying prevention and intervention, personal safety, emotion identification/regulation and other social and emotional topics pertinent to children in grades K-5.
Even outside the classroom, McKissacks values community, hard work and resilience. In her spare time, she works part-time as a community lifeguard and caregiver to toddlers and infants through her local YMCA.
“I believe that what makes Glasgow such a successful and serene school environment is that my colleagues operate under this mindset of teamwork, helping and supporting one another with a common mission and vision to create harmony and the best results for the community,” McKissack stated.
McKissack was surprised with the announcement by Superintendent Tanya Patton, Ed.D., Professional Development Coordinator Tiffany Patton, Ed.D. and other building and district administrators.
“Madelyn McKissack is an outstanding choice to serve as the RGSD Teacher of the Year Award,” Superintendent Patton stated.
“I recall when she interviewed for the position. Her positive energy and zeal for supporting students made her a standout candidate,” she added. “She continues to serve with that same passion and energy, and it shows.
Kasia Landa, McKissack’s principal at Glasgow Elementary, echoed those sentiments.
“Ms. McKissack’s positive energy and warm presence light up every room, leaving a lasting impact on our school community,” Landa stated. “ Team Glasgow is truly grateful for her dedication, her heart, and the difference she continues to make in the lives of those around her.”
McKissack earned a bachelor's degree in Disability Studies and Child Development and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Psychology from the University of Memphis.
McKissack was also selected as the Teacher of the Year for Glasgow Elementary School. She and the other 12 outstanding building-wide Teacher of the Year awardees will be presented with their awards at the District Teacher of the Year celebration on Tuesday, May 7. The event will take place at Riverview Gardens High School, located at 1218 Shepley Drive, at 5:30 PM. The event is invitation-only.
The building-wide Teacher of the Year Winners are as follows:
Pamela Jenkins - Central Middle School
Kate Pfyl - Danforth Elementary School
Karen Wright - Gibson Elementary School
Madelyn McKissack - Glasgow Elementary School
Caitlyn Ney - Highland Elementary School
Demetris Butler-Richardson - Koch Elementary School
Phyliss Katz - Lemasters Elementary School
Tara Sweets - Lewis & Clark Elementary School
Cheenee Astrande - Meadows Elementary School
Tuesday Powell - Michelle Obama Early Childhood Academic Center
Robert Odneal - Moline Elementary School
Craig Nowden - Riverview Gardens High School
Evelyn Haynes-Levett - Westview Middle School
Congratulations to all of the outstanding Teachers of the Year in Riverview Gardens School District!