Building Stronger Communities Together

Our teachers should be recognized more often for their hard work and commitment to making a difference in their students' lives. Highline invites you to nominate someone you feel deserves to be recognized as a Teacher of the Month. Winning teachers will receive a gift card.

March 2025 Teacher of the Month is, Kaitlyn Harwick from Rapid River Elementary School.

Kaitlyn is enjoying her first year of teaching 5th grade at Rapid River Elementary!

She thought Math would be her favorite subject to teach but she finds that teaching Social Studies is quickly becoming her favorite. The students are asking to do social studies. One of Ms. Hardwick’s favorite parts of teaching is getting to know the kids and talk with them every day. Her class is currently learning about the Jamestown colony from their textbooks and creating their own colony where they learn problem solving skills. During March is Reading Month- Around the World - the students in her class are making paper lanterns and a dragon to put out in the hallway. For Science they are raising salmon they will get to release at an approved sight and take a two-day camping trip to Clear Lake.

Teacher and Highschool Softball Coach Ashley Hughes played a key role in Kaitlyn pursuing a teaching career. She was always there when Kaitlyn needed help or just needed to talk. Kaitlyn always wanted to do the same thing.

Outside of teaching Ms. Hardwick is a Varsity Volleyball coach and J.V. Basketball coach at Gladstone Schools. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and her dog Bruno, snowboarding, anything outdoors. Congratulations on your recent engagement to Jared Crow! 

Kaitlyn had a special message to first year teachers, “Although your first year can be hard, stick with it and remember you’re not in it for the money, it’s because you love what you do!”

A few words from her nominators,” This teacher is awesome she helps my grandson do math, English, science, social studies and because of her my grandson got all A's.” ” Because she helps

me with a lot of stuff. She is kind and very generous.”

Please tell a teacher “Thank you”—and please tell Ms. Kaitlyn Hardwick THANK YOU, for all her hard work and dedication to her students.

Meet our February teacher of the month, Mrs. Brittani Jones!

Mrs. Jones, a third grade math and STEM teacher at Upson Lee Elementary School, is in her twelfth year of teaching and has also taught pre-kindergarten and exceptional children services. Mrs. Jones dreamed of becoming a teacher for as long as she can remember because she loves working with children and wants each one to know they are loved. Cheering students along while enhancing their confidence and providing them with tools to reach their highest potential is Mrs. Jones’ goal in the classroom. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her husband of six years and their three beautiful children.

Thank you, Mrs. Jones, for being such a light in our school system!
 

We want to announce Carsonville Fire Department as our first responder of the month. Every one of these firefighters deserves recognition. Such Brave and kind men AND women. Thank you for all that you do.  

Dr. Adam Ingrao of Bee Wise Farms explains exactly what high-speed internet means to his life, his home, and his work in this short but powerful video.