CMS Names 2021 Teacher, Teacher Assistant Of The Year

Press release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools:

5/11/2021

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced the new teacher of the year and teacher assistant of the year at a May 5 celebration at East Mecklenburg High. Demeka Kimpson, band director at Sedgefield Middle, was named the 2021 CMS Teacher of the Year. Stephanie Donnis, a teacher assistant at Druid Hills Academy, was named the 2021 CMS Teacher Assistant of the Year.

The celebration was part of Teacher Appreciation Week, May 3-7. Charles G. Monnett III & Associates donated a $500 gift card to each teacher of the year finalist, with Kimpson winning an additional $1,200 in gift cards. The firm also donated a $300 gift card to each teacher assistant of the year finalist, with Donnis receiving an additional $700 in gift cards. Keffer Volkswagen will provide a vehicle to Kimpson for one year. All 12 finalists received $25 gift cards to Famous Toastery from Classroom Central.

"I am grateful for our amazing teaching staff and how they have met the challenges of this year," said Superintendent Earnest Winston. "They are creative, innovative and have a deep commitment to the education of our students and the well-being of our families."

Kimpson is in her 19th year of teaching and her 16th year at Sedgefield. A native of Orangeburg, S.C., she earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Claflin University in Orangeburg and her master's degree in music from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. A woodwind specialist, Kimpson plays clarinet and flute, as well as saxophone, low-brass instruments and cello. Read more about Kimpson here.

Donnis has been a teacher assistant for nine years, all at Druid Hills. She has lived in Charlotte for more than 40 years and left a media career to pursue her desire to teach. Donnis works with second-graders, but she is also a family advocate, who does home visits and connects partners with families to help students succeed, said Dr. Carla Mathis, principal at Druid Hills. Read more about Donnis here.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education Chair Elyse Dashew and the superintendent spoke at the celebration. The winners were announced by 2020 Teacher Assistant of the Year Brittany Bush and 2020 Teacher of the Year Cece Sizoo-Roberson.

This press release was produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.