Meet Hyde County Schools’ School and District Teachers of the Year

By Submitted Story on May 11, 2023

Patricia Scripture was named Mattamuskeet School’s Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Cara Taylor was named Mattamuskeet School’s Beginning Teacher of the Year.

Katie O’Neal was named Ocracoke School’s Primary Teacher of the Year.

Robert Chestnut was named Ocracoke School’s Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Ocracoke School named Grace Ward as their Beginning Teacher of the Year.

 

(Hyde County Schools) 

Mattamuskeet School and Ocracoke School are special places where the small school and community feel lead to meaningful relationships between students and teachers. This year, Mattamuskeet School recognized three teachers as their Primary Teacher of the Year, Secondary Teacher of the Year, and Beginning Teacher of the Year.

Mattamuskeet School’s Primary Teacher of the Year is Louise Beirne. Her classroom is full of love as students run to her and express their need for a hug because they missed her over the long weekend. She spends time with each student discussing their needs before they get started. The full group quickly breaks up into small groups as students work diligently in rotation small groups.

Patricia Scripture was named Mattamuskeet School’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. Scripture is an exceptional children’s teacher and works with students in small groups or individually to support their learning. Her students work hard to meet their goals, making Scripture proud of their accomplishments and progress. Her colleagues are always impressed with her patience, kindness, and persistence with her students in helping them meet their goals.

Cara Taylor was named Mattamuskeet School’s Beginning Teacher of the Year. Taylor is in her second year of teaching Health Sciences at Mattamuskeet School. She transitioned into teaching after working in a pharmaceutical company. Her students love her because of her ability to build relationships and make learning fun. Taylor’s classes are constantly involved in activities that help students remember the names, locations, and functions of different systems.

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Katie O’Neal was named Ocracoke School’s Primary Teacher of the Year. Beginning her teaching career right before Hurricane Dorian and continuing with a global pandemic, O’Neal works as an Exceptional Children’s Teacher specializing and supporting students with the course work. Her never-ending ability to provide flexible working conditions to support students in the moment is amazing to behold.

Robert Chestnut was named Ocracoke School’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. Chestnut makes art come alive for students. During the recent Art Week on the island, students in his group painted ceiling tiles that were then displayed at a local business. Chestnut works individually with students to coach them to do their very best work. He innately understands the importance of the confidence to be vulnerable in the creative process.

Ocracoke School named Grace Ward as their Beginning Teacher of the Year. Ward’s love for her students immediately radiates when you enter her class. Her students feel safe and comfortable when Miss Ward is around; her methods ensure that all student learning needs are met, from the manipulatives to the cozy reading groups.

Hyde County Schools is proud to announce the 2023-24 District Teacher of the Year is Katie O’Neal, and the Beginning Teacher of the Year is Grace Ward. These representatives will represent Hyde County Schools as nominees in the 2023-24 NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year and 2023-24 Northeast Region Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations to all!

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