Davis named teacher of the year

Michelle Davis has been recognized as Crook County’s Teacher of the Year, and will also join the list of finalists for the state award for 2021. Davis is a reading specialist at the Moorcroft K-8.

Before stepping into her current role in 2018, Davis was a first grade teacher for eight years. She holds a BSc in early childhood and elementary education from Maranatha Baptist University and an MA in education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction and an emphasis on literacy from the University of Wyoming.

Davis describes a desire for her students to identify their own paths to success and grow as readers in both ability and confidence.

“As educators, we need to encourage students to do their best, to find what they love and to pursue their dreams. This means we need to step out of the comfort zone of what is preplanned for us and what is easy to teach because what is easy for us isn’t necessarily what is best for our students,” Davis says.

“They need us to know them and their individual needs, to learn their personal desires and goals, and to be cheering them on to do more than they thought possible. My personal goal of helping my students work through their challenges of reading while also becoming self-driven to learn and succeed would not be attainable if I didn’t take the time to get to know my students personally.”

MK-8 Principal Teresa Brown says of Davis, “Michelle’s level of dedication to her work is commendable; she can always be depended upon to follow through with her commitments in the most professional and thorough manner. While working as the reading specialist, Mrs. Davis incorporated the community into Literacy Night, Dr. Seuss week and the One Book One School initiative.”

Superintendent Mark Broderson adds, “Michelle is well respected by her peers and serves as a leader in the district.”

District teacher of the year awards are determined through a locally determined nomination and review process. Awardees are then considered for the Wyoming Teacher of the Year award, which is determined by a Wyoming Department of Education selection panel through virtual interviews and a keynote presentation.