The Arc of Buncombe County has honored West Buncombe Elementary School Exceptional Children teacher Kaye Johnson as an Educator of Excellence.
The community nonprofit, which is dedicated to empowering, advocating for, and supporting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, presented the award to Ms. Johnson last week during its annual meeting. The honor is given to a teacher who shows exceptional skills in teaching students with disabilities, champions inclusion, and advocates daily for their students' unique needs.
“Kaye Johnson designs an environment of absolute safety, structure, and most importantly dignity—a sanctuary where students feel secure enough to take risks and feel supported and encouraged when they are not successful on the first try,” said Carla Melton, a BCS Exceptional Children coordinator who introduced Ms. Johnson at the ceremony. “Trust me, there isn't a lack of confidence in her classroom. In education, data is the heartbeat of progress. Kaye meticulously tracks every milestone, using objective evidence to celebrate growth, pivot her strategies, and prove exactly what her students are capable of achieving.”
BCS Associate Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Reed, West Buncombe principal Brad Johnson and assistant principal Lori McCourry attended to celebrate Ms. Johnson’s award, along with Christy Cheek and District 6 Board of Education representative Kim Plemmons from the Buncombe County Schools Foundation.