‘Teacher of the Month’ spends free time giving back to students

ROCKY POINT, NC (WWAY) — The school year is almost over, but there’s still time to show appreciation for the teachers who help to enrich the lives of students.

Katie Rivenbark teaches Exceptional Children at Cape Fear Middle School in Pender County. She’s relatively new to teaching, after making a career change a few years ago.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, and different things in my life have taken me on different paths,” Rivenbark said.

Ms. Rivenbark says while she was first getting experience as a teacher’s assistant, she felt a personal connection to students in the EC program.

“I struggled in school, so I wanted to give students a voice and someone to look out for them and teach them in the way they learn,” Rivenbark said.

The nomination WWAY received for Ms. Rivenbark highlighted the extra time she spends outside of class tutoring students and making connections with them on a personal level.

“She drives the bus for some sporting events, some field trips, and she attends some of those things as well so that she can form a good bond with her students.” said EC Specialist Audra Williams.

Ms. Rivenbark says although she’ll miss her 8th graders after the school year is over, it means a lot to know that her hard work is being noticed.

“Especially as a new teacher and with so much going on, I wonder do they really see me, are they really learning from me?” she said. “And so for people to see that, it means a lot.”

As Teacher of the Month, Ms. Rivenbark received a $400 prize courtesy of Beach Bagels and Subs and Fulford Heating and Cooling. She also received an additional $200 thanks to an anonymous donor.

Click here to nominate a teacher for the honor.