DECEMBER 22, 2011 ISSUE
Bethel’s Darcy Grimes Named Northwest Region Teacher of the Year
In the Bethel Elementary School gym, Marshall Gasperson, director of personnel for Watauga County Schools, presents Darcy Grimes with a check and balloons for being named Northwest Region Teacher of the Year. Photo by Jesse Wood
Darcy Grimes sits with her third-grade class after the announcement that Grimes was selected as one of nine finalists for North Carolina Teacher of the Year. Photo by Jesse WoodDarcy Grimes of Bethel Elementary School is one of the few. On Monday, she was named Teacher of the Year in the Northwest Region, which includes 18 other North Carolina counties.
Now Grimes is one of nine finalists—nine out of a total of 90,000 teachers in the state—in the running for North Carolina Teacher of the Year. Marshall Ashcraft, spokesman for Watauga County Schools (WCS), wrote in an email that Grimes is the only WCS teacher to win the award that could be confirmed as of press time.
Filled with her family, teachers, students, school officials and media, the Bethel Elementary School gym erupted in applause and deafening shrieks when the current North Carolina Teacher of the Year Tyronna Hooker of Burlington presented Grimes with her award.
After the award ceremony, Bethel Principal Randy Bentley told the High Country Press that Grimes is successful because of a combination of things.
“Easy rapport with students—it develops from the first day. She has them in the palm of her hands,” Bentley said. “She uses a lot of technology, keeps them engaged and the kids enjoy learning in her classroom. That’s basically what it comes down to. They like her, and they like learning in her classroom.”
Grimes, a third-grade teacher, said her heart was racing during the ceremony and that it felt wonderful to be selected for this prestigious award when there were so many other teachers deserving of the recognition.
“I am still amazed,” Grimes said. “I work in a wonderful place with great students, great teachers and a great principal. That’s what it is about. It’s not just for me but for the whole school.”
Starting early next year, Grimes and the other eight regional winners will participate in additional interviews and assessments for the determination of N.C. Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in May.
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