By Jessica Dillon
Martinsville City Schools honored its teachers of the year with a school-to-school parade Jan. 22, celebrating educators from each campus and naming an overall winner.
The parade made stops at schools across the division before concluding at Martinsville Middle School, where the overall teacher of the year was recognized with a gift basket, flowers and the use of a rental vehicle for three months, provided by Auto’s By Nelson.
The teachers of the year are Cynthia Arehart of Clearview Early Learning Center, Jemeisha Childress of Patrick Henry Elementary School, Brandi Garrett-Gillespie of Albert Harris Elementary School, Karla Scales of Martinsville Middle School, and Brian Joyce of Martinsville High School.
Scales was named the overall teacher of the year.
“Ms. Scales teaches and dances and cheers and walks — everything — with enthusiasm,” Superintendent Zebedee Talley said. “Everything you do is always done to perfection and with great enthusiasm, and that’s contagious. We appreciate what you do for Martinsville Middle School and with your colleagues.”
Martinsville Middle School Principal Ama Waller said Scales serves as a mentor to new teachers and takes on leadership roles throughout the school.
“She’s been a mentor to a lot of our new teachers,” Waller said. “She’s the coach in the classroom, in the building to other staff as our PBIS lead coach, as well as a coach to Bulldog Nation. She takes on any challenge. She’s worked with performing arts, so she cares about the whole child — not just getting them English.”
