PFE's Baylee Hale named county's Teacher of the Year

Joy and emotion were let loose Tuesday as Pisgah Forest Elementary (PFE) fifth-grade teacher Baylee Hale was awarded the Transylvania County Schools’ “Teacher of the Year” award.

Hale attended PFE and graduated from Appalachian State University in 2014 joining the school initially as a second-grade teacher.

The school system held its annual awards ceremony Tuesday in the library’s Rogow Room.

During the announcement of each school’s individual teacher of the year, PFE Principal Amanda Lewis described Hale as someone who is a leader at the school and has a commitment that is nearly unrivaled.

“In her classroom learning truly comes to life,” Lewis said. “Whatever it is they’re learning, it’s coming to life and truly students are experiencing it in Ms. Hale’s classroom.”

Lewis also described Hale as a mentor to beginning teachers and is involved in other ways such as representing her grade and co-chairing the school’s improvement team.

“Without a doubt, Ms. Hale is a teacher leader, a role model to our students and staff, and she is a great servant to our community,” Lewis concluded by saying.

Amber Webb of First Citizens Bank, which sponsored the event, also gave an introduction on why Hale received the award.

Webb spoke about the importance of teaching and how many people who enter the field feel as if it’s a calling they can’t ignore. She said because of that many of today’s teachers go above and beyond in helping their students with problems both academically and personally, big or small.

“For many of our students who are impacted by factors out of their control our teachers are happy to be more intentional in helping (them) with challenges outside of the normal curriculum,” Webb said.

When it came to Hale specifically, Webb said she has spent nine years working to positively transform the lives of the PFE family.

“She exemplifies the excellent teachers who we want taking care of our children,” Webb said. After announcing Hale as the district teacher of the year, joyful screams filled the Rogow Room as Hale fought back tears when accepting the award.

In other awards, Brevard High School’s Nijayah Cruell was recognized as the “Teacher Assistant of the Year” and much like Hale was taken aback and fought back tears as she accepted both the award and kind words from her colleagues.

In a pre-written speech read by Carrie Norris, K-8 curriculum director, BHS Principal Scott Strickler said Cruell had an attitude and smile that are infectious. Cruell was praised for her work with the girls’ basketball team and for helping students facing in-school suspension (ISS).

“This year it has been amazing to see students ask to go to ISS because they responded to Nijayah’s firm but fair approach and know that she will help them academically,” Strickler said.

Cruell credited her religious beliefs for her success and added she was extremely grateful her journey to this moment came full-circle.

“For those of you who have supported me since I was this big until now, I truly appreciate you,” she said. “It’s an honor.”

In other awards, Davidson River School’s Jamie Dulberg was named “Student Services Person of the Year;” PFE’s Alicia LaDow was named “Media and Technology Person of the Year;” Strickler was named “Principal of the Year;” and BHS’s Will Lindsey was named “Rookie of the Year” for his work with the varsity baseball team.

The individual “School Teacher of the Year” recipients were Brevard Elementary’s Nancy Frady; BHS’s Erica Thompson; Brevard Middle’s Justin Ausburn; Davidson River School’s Julie Bowman; Rosman Elementary’s Breanna Morris; Rosman High’s Sarah Carson; Rosman Middle’s Alissa Cook; and T. C. Henderson’s Samantha Jones.

The individual “Teacher Assistants of the Year” awards went to Brevard Elementary’s Pat Rich; Brevard Middle’s Amanda LaRowe; PFE’s Mary Palmer; Rosman Elementary’s Michelle Mason; Rosman High’s Bethany Green; and T.C. Henderson’s Amelia Waycaster.