Lehigh Middle’s Teresa Rigdon named Educational Support Person of the Year
By MEGHAN BRADBURY - | Feb 17, 2021
Teresa Rigdon. PHOTO PROVIDED
The desire to help, heal and share her love with people has earned Lehigh Acres Middle School’s Teresa Rigdon. the honor of Educational Support Person of the Year for the School District of Lee County.
“My reaction when I was surprised, was surreal. I was just so amazed that I was being rewarded for something that I am so passionate about. I do not look at my work in terms of ‘work,’ income or reward,” said Rigdon, a peer mediation counselor. “I show up each day hoping to help one or two people and I leave knowing I helped much more than that. I was honored to represent our LAMS family and appreciative of the support and recognition of my co-workers and the district. It truly takes a village and I have been blessed to work alongside so many caring people who strive to change the culture of our schools and for the betterment of
Education Co-Op develops in first months
Equity, inclusion, communication are focal points
By MEGHAN BRADBURY - | Jan 27, 2021
Equity, inclusion and communication are three key aspects that one school board member has included in a group she began a couple of months ago, the East Lee Education Co-Op.
School Board member Gwyn Gittens said ever since she started on the board she wanted to develop some type of community voice for education. When she moved to the area in 2002 it occurred to her how much it had changed, and had not changed, over time.
“The only way to harness that change is to harness those people and the difference that is occurring,” Gittens said. “That is one of the reasons I got involved in doing the Census Committee and trying to build up the number of people that count in this area. Once we got finished with that goal (it was time to) stir up some of those people to get involved in their community.”
Tortuga Preserve Elementary teacher receives Teacher of the Year award
By MELISSA BILL - | Dec 28, 2020
Alyssa Smith
PHOTO PROVIDED
Tortuga Preserve Elementary ESE teacher Alyssa Smith has been named the School District of Lee County’s Teacher of the Year.
Smith was surprised with the commendation bright and early last Tuesday morning by Superintendent Dr. Gregory K. Adkins and members of the Lee County School Board.
Smith was extremely surprised and thanked first and foremost her students for the honor.
“This is so exciting and it’s because of you guys!” Smith said.
Upon awarding Smith, Adkins gave some background on the well-loved, Lehigh Acres teacher.
Updated: December 15, 2020 11:37 PM EST - Advertisement -
Published: December 15, 2020 5:01 PM EST
Updated: December 15, 2020 11:37 PM EST
The School District of Lee County announced Tuesday that Tortuga Preserve Elementary ESE Teacher Alyssa Smith is the District’s Teacher of the Year.
Alyssa Smith is in her sixth year of teaching at Tortuga Preserve Elementary in Lehigh Acres. Her focus has always been on Exceptional Student Education and she is currently a Special Education teacher in a Social Functioning classroom.
“I grew up in a household with two sisters who have special needs on opposite ends of a need’s spectrum,” Smith says. “As long as I can remember, I have voiced that I wanted to be a teacher for children like my sisters. I believe that every student, no matter what their abilities, deserves every opportunity both in school and in life.”