Eagle Pass Independent School District has partnered with local businesses throughout our city to highlight the Teacher of the Month program, which honors educators who have made a difference in our community. The program recognizes outstanding kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high school teachers in Eagle Pass, Texas.
October's Teacher of the Month is none other than Ray Darr Elementary School's, Mrs. Bertha Ritchie. Mrs. Ritchie has been with EPISD for 27 years and has made an impact on countless students with her love and dedication to them and her profession.
Mrs. Ritchie has taught at almost every grade level and she does so with devotion and enthusiasm. This commitment extended to her role as Literacy Specialist. She also gladly chooses to coach students for UIL while simultaneously holding the responsibility for Co-Coordinator of the event for the pass 10 years.
Mrs. Ritchie is a dynamic and passionate educator who encompasses everything a great teacher should be. She possesses an energetic and charismatic personality. Her great attitude and friendly disposition attribute to her popularity with her students and staff. Her positive influence towards her colleagues has made her a very well-liked and respected teacher.
She is a very experienced teacher with innovative ideas that encourage and motivate students to constantly and consistently increase their interest in learning. She strives for what she believes her students need in order to keep up with today's challenges and technological advances.
Mrs. Ritchie's dedication extends far beyond her required working hours. She ensures that each day she is well prepared, ready to teach, listen, and help. She creates individual intervention notebooks for struggling students to track their progress. This allows them to visually and personally witness their own academic growth and improvement. By creating attainable goals at their level, they gain confidence and a greater sense of personal achievement. This leads them to develop an interest and an increased love for learning.
Mrs. Ritchie makes herself available to tutor students after school and volunteers extra time to her students to help them reach their goals. She also developed a cross school reading challenge with Liberty Elementary to motivate students to read. She goes above and beyond for her students with the intent of having them perform at their greatest potential. Mrs. Ritchie is an advocate for parental involvement which led her to initiate "Donuts for Parents" at her campus.
She is a great mentor to new teachers and as the current lead 6th grade teacher, she assumes her role in every aspect assisting and supporting her colleagues creating a unified team. This greatly contributes to her school's overall success. Mrs. Ritchie is whole-heartedly committed to her craft and community. She dedicates Monday afternoons to teach catechism classes to first grade students. All of these actions speak volumes of her as a persona. She is a caring, loving, and distinguished individual with a true gift for teaching and mentoring.
For all these reasons and more, Mrs. Ritchie is Teacher of the Month.
A segment will appear on iVision throughout the month of October detailing many more accomplishments of Mrs. Ritchie. This month she will also appear on community media, news publications and the EPISD website throughout October 2019. A teacher will be selected each month through May 2020 for a total of eight (8) honorees. The “Teacher of the Month” will be chosen based on educational achievements in the classroom, community contributions and innovative programs and techniques used by the teacher. The “Teacher of the Month” will receive a certificate of recognition and will be featured on iVision, local media news, news publications and radio broadcasting. Additionally, each “Teacher of the Month” will receive donations from local businesses.
Each T.O.M is receiving a “V.I.T (Very Important Teacher) Parking Pass”, a jean voucher for a month, Whataburger Gift Card, and Class Cash to purchase class room supplies. Additionally, each “Teacher of the Month” will receive donations from local businesses. Thank You Border Federal Credit Union, Ashley Furniture, 1212 Chisolm Group, EPISD Spirit Ambassadors, and Peter Piper Pizza.
