Bayport-Blue Point School District Names Teacher of The Year

BAYPORT, NY — A James Wilson Young Middle School teacher has been named Bayport-Blue Point School District's Teacher of the Year.

Karen Hicks was awarded the honor at the district's board of education meeting last week for her commitment to her students, faculty, and the community, according to a release.

Superintendent Dr. Timothy Hearney described Hicks as a teacher who pushes her students to be the best they can be and seeks ways to connect with her class on a personal level.

Hicks has worked at the middle school as a math teacher for more than 30 years. In that time, Hearney said she has been a mentor for other teachers and has worked tirelessly during the past 15 months on school reopening committees to find the best means of teaching in a COVID-19 world.

“Ms. Hicks is dedicated, hard-working, always helpful, highly knowledgeable and focused on improving all aspects of education here in the Bayport-Blue Point School District,” Hearney said. "She is highly respected by administration, colleagues, community members and students.”

For the last 10 years, Hicks has served as vice president of the Bayport-Blue Point Teachers Association for the middle school. She has been an adviser to the National Junior Honor Society, math department teacher in charge, instructional council member, school improvement team member, and a union representative. In May 2021, Hicks was also named Teacher of the Month.