Muscogee County School District announces 2017 First-Year Teacher of the Year

Gentian Elementary School special-education teacher Colleen Tighe is the Muscogee County School District’s 2017 First-Year Teacher of the Year.

She was selected out of 241 new classroom teachers MCSD hired this school year, said Lorrie Watt, the district’s executive director of curriculum and instruction.

Principals made recommendations based on the following requirements:

▪ Classroom performance

▪ Original and innovative ideas and approaches to teaching

▪ Initiative and motivation

▪ Willingness to share

▪ Knowledge of content

▪ Communication skills

▪ Passion and enthusiasm

▪ Cooperation as a team member

▪ Improvement in student achievement

▪ Use of technology

▪ Rapport with students, staff and parents

▪ Contributions to the school and community.

The selection committee read the applications and visited the classrooms of the finalists, Watt said.

Gentian principal Jessica Burnett described Tighe’s classroom not as a group of students with a teacher, but as a family, Watt told the Muscogee County School Board during the April meeting.

“She states one of her most impressive qualities is how quickly and effectively Mrs. Tighe has mastered the art of finding the perfect balance between setting limits and showing positive affection to the students,” Watt said.

Tighe has created a learning environment in which her special-needs students with various disabilities “have become more independent, are making individual gains, are kind to each other and interact respectfully,” Watt said.

Even during meals and recess, Tighe uses opportunities “to teach vital social skills and engage in meaningful conversations,” Watt said. “Learning does not stop at the classroom door.”

Tighe’s teaching motto, Watt said, is, “Don’t make your student fit the program; make the program fit the student.”

In an interview Monday with the Ledger-Enquirer, Tighe expounded on that philosophy.

“I try to make sure I do everything in my power to tailor their education to how they need to learn and what’s important for them,” she said. “But the first thing is they need to know they can trust me and what I’m doing always is in their best interest.”

Tighe said it’s an honor to be nominated, let alone win the award.

“I’m so happy and thankful,” she said. “... I already love my job so much, but this is a great recognition for my principal, assistant principal (Danielle Ernst) and the school district’s special education.”

Tighe also credits her classroom aide, Val Carson. “The woman is from heaven,” she said.

After graduating from Mainland Regional High School of Linwood, N.J., in 2010, Tighe earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and special education from Widener University of Chester, Pa., in 2014. She moved last summer to Columbus with her husband, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Kramer Kaufelds, who is stationed at Fort Benning.

This story was originally published May 1, 2017 at 10:51 AM with the headline "Muscogee County School District announces 2017 First-Year Teacher of the Year."