Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in our north Okaloosa County Teacher of the Year series.
CRESTVIEW — Betsy Cunningham, a second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School, aims to make learning memorable.
"I get the students to participate with me rather than just teaching to the class,” said the Milton resident, who teaches science and math.
That means hands-on activities from measuring items to planting vegetation.
Coordinating with third-grade teachers and learning about their lesson plans helps Cunningham target second-graders’ early learning.
Riverside teachers named her the school’s 2013 Teacher of the Year.
Students praised their teacher’s efforts.
"She always helps us with our math and our reading," Charity Orloske, 8, said.
"What I enjoy a lot about her is when she reads books to us, because she reads books that are fun," Marshall Greer, 8, said. His favorite book is Kate DiCamillo’s “The Tale of Despereaux.”
Cunningham frequently has education in mind, even during the 30-minute commute to work.
"I listen to a lot of books on tape," she said.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Teacher of the Year: Riverside teacher touts hands-on learning