Kellie L. Evans, third-grade teacher at Riverton Elementary School, has been named Elementary Teacher of the Year for Madison County Schools. (CONTRIBUTED)

HUNTSVILLE – Kellie L. Evans has been named Elementary Teacher of the Year for Madison County Schools.

Currently, Evans teaches third-graders at Riverton Elementary School. She also has taught grades 1-2 during her 11 years at Riverton.

She works as co-director for Riverton’s after-school program and serves on committees, including the Blue Ribbon Committee and Lighthouse Team.

“The most rewarding part of my job is watching students grow academically, emotional and socially. Nothing is greater than seeing the light bulb go off in students’ heads when they learn something new and watching students make good choices,” Evans said.

Testing and its pressures are demanding constraints. “Many teachers get bogged down in testing and have the mindset that if their students don’t perform at a certain level that it sheds a bad light on their teaching,” Evan said. “A teacher’s effectiveness covers a wider span than a single test.”

In the past 12 months, Evans has been proud while working on research projects with students. “Research shows students learn best when they take ownership for their learning … and are more engaged and motivated.” During research projects, the students “get to study and present on information important and relevant to them,” she said.

In other honors, Evans received a Parker Griffith Family Foundation Grant and Boeing Science Scholarship in May 2008.

During her career, Evans had the opportunity “to teach the inclusion class at her school … with several students who had special needs. I will never forget this group of students because they had the most impact upon my life and career.”

That class taught “lessons about teaching and life that I will not soon forget,” Evans said. “Although this was my most challenging year, it was the most memorable year of my teaching.”

Evans earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education at the University of North Alabama. At Samford University, she received a master’s degree in instructional leadership.

A selection committee with district leaders and former recipients chose Teacher of the Year winners.