Cumming Educator Named Preschool Teacher of the Year

– Carrington Academy Midway in Cumming is honored to announce that educator Kathy Shelden has been named Preschool Teacher of the Year by Carrington Academy’s parent organization, Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. (NLCI). Shelden was nominated for the national award by the school’s principal, executive director, fellow teachers and students' parents. The award was formally presented to Shelden at NLCI’s national principal conference, which was held in Atlantic City, N.J., last month.

As Preschool Teacher of the Year, Shelden is recognized for her dedication to her students and desire for teaching. Shelden incorporates emotional and social skills into her lessons to prepare her students for real-world experiences, and aims to create a well-rounded classroom by focusing on character education throughout each school day. Shelden has also made her classroom a space for students to evolve and gain knowledge through interactive classroom activities that encourage participation.

“Kathy has really proven herself as a first-year teacher in our Pre-K 2 classroom. She has developed a deep sense of community within her classroom, and truly teaches to the whole child,” commented Carrington Academy Midway Principal Lisa Malone. “Her expectations of her students are high, but they deliver daily and there’s not a day that goes by that her students are not leaving here telling their parents all the wonderful things they learned. We are honored to have her lead our staff, and are excited for her to receive this well-deserved award.”

NLCI’s Teacher of the Year program recognizes teachers who stand out by demonstrating a strong commitment to inspire, motivate and educate students and staff. Along with the title Preschool Teacher of the Year and the all-expenses-paid trip to the national conference in Atlantic City, N.J., Shelden received a cash award and a round-trip airline ticket to anywhere in the U.S.

“Teaching provides me an opportunity that gives me more happiness, personal satisfaction and joy that I cannot begin to express. Each day is an opportunity to instill a joy of learning in a child, and to open his or her eyes to the wonders of learning and the world around them,” stated Shelden. “I am truly honored to have won Nobel Learning Communities’ Teacher of the Year award and to be able to teach children to be kind and thoughtful, so when they leave my class they are ready to be exceptional students in kindergarten.”

Shelden has been with Carrington Academy for five years, and has served as lead teacher in the school’s Pre-K 2 program. She has a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans.

Carrington Academy Midway is located at 5415 Campground Road in Cumming. The school offers preschool programs for children ages six weeks through kindergarten.

About Carrington Academy Midway

Carrington Academy Midway in Cumming, Ga., is part of Nobel Learning Communities, Inc., a national network of more than 200 nonsectarian private schools, including preschools, K-8 and high schools in 19 states across the nation and the District of Columbia. Carrington Academy schools provide high quality private education, with a challenging and well-rounded curriculum, caring and skilled teachers and attention to individual learning styles. They also offer before and after school care and summer camp. For more information on Carrington Academy, or to find a school near you, please visit www.CarringtonAcademy.com.