Catawba Trail teacher named February Rookie Teacher of the Block
March 4, 2020
Catawba Trail Elementary School’s Scarlett Cotter is the February 2020 Rookie Teacher of the Block (ROTB). The award is sponsored by H&R Block, a dedicated partner of the district.
Ms. Cotter, a first-year teacher, is extraordinary in her thirst and drive for knowledge. Her inquisitive nature affords her the opportunity to ask questions that are held in the best interests of her students. She is relentless in the pursuit of answers that meet every individual child’s needs.
Ms. Cotter exudes joy daily in her kindergarten classroom. Her “Chronicles of Kindergarten” book, Volume I – is filled with stories of her first-year teaching experience – from her student’s perspectives. It is inspiring because it not only reflects the lessons that she teaches them – but the lessons they teach her as well.
In her recommendation Tia S. Jones, Assistant Principal of Catawba Trail Elementary said, “I look forward to seeing her continued growth throughout her first year. Ms. Cotter demonstrates a passion for helping all students learn and develop into their full potential. Each day, Scarlett Cotter’s happiness is contagious and she is guaranteed to be a tireless advocate for all of her students. Not only does she seek to be a voice for all students, she encourages them to have a voice of their own.”
A quote from author Paulo Coelho sums up Ms. Cotter’s character best, “A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be curious, to fight tirelessly for something.”
RTOTB winners receive a plaque to hang outside their classroom door, a Kindle Fire for their personal use and a unique trophy designed by the 3D Printing class at the Richland Two Institute of Innovation (R2i2). Ms. Cotter is the most recent teacher to be recognized through the initiative.
