Bluffton teacher is Top 5 finalist for statewide award. It’s her first year in the classroom

Alexis Richmond, a Beaufort County fifth-grade teacher from River Ridge Academy in Bluffton, was named a top five finalist for a state-wide competition recognizing first-year teachers.

This is the first time a Beaufort County teacher has been selected for the South Carolina ASCD Induction Teacher of the Year Award.

“I can’t even put into words how much it means to me to have even been considered for this award, much less be named a top five finalist of the state,” Richmond said.

To be eligible, a colleague had to nominate Richmond, and the Beaufort County superintendent had to approve her nomination.

Eleven teachers nominated Richmond.

Then, Richmond submitted materials reflecting on her teaching experience and philosophy to the SC ASCD, including a letter of recommendation from River Ridge Principal Brian Ryman.

“She definitely performs in the building as a teacher with much more years of experience,” Ryman said. “She does a great job building relationships with students, parents, teachers and staff, and she’s just a great addition to our River Ridge family.”

The winner of the award, Kaydee Culbertson from Spartanburg District Five, was announced Friday at the SC ASCD Fall Conference in Greenville. The conference includes instructional breakout sessions and presentations.

Culbertson will receive a $500 gift card, recognition in the SC ASCD blog and a complimentary invite to the SC ASCD Spring Conference.

On Wednesday, pausing for school intercom announcements overhead, Richmond took some time to discuss her work and journey to becoming a teacher in Beaufort County.

What is your previous teaching experience?

I am from Clifton Forge, Virginia, and I went to Virginia Tech for my undergrad. I got my bachelor’s degree in human development. Then I stayed for my master’s degree at Virginia Tech, and I got my master’s degree in curriculum instruction.

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

When I think about why I got into teaching in the first place, my mind always goes to one of my favorite quotes that we have in my classroom, which is, “Go into the world and do well; but more importantly, go into the world and do good.” I live by those words. As a teacher, that perfectly sums up the goals that we have for our students because we want to push them to be successful adults and lead successful lives, but we also want to teach them how to be good humans as well and how to do good in the world and give back to their community.

I’ve realized that teaching is one of the professions where you can have such a direct impact. Ultimately, I knew that that was something that I wanted for myself, and that was a difference that I wanted to make.

Why Beaufort County and River Ridge Academy?

Being from Virginia, it’s a little colder there. I was really looking to move somewhere near a coastal area, and I had heard such great things about Hilton Head, so I looked into this area. Mr. Ryman gave me my first ever interview, and we just really took a chance. It seemed like a great fit for all of the values that I had for myself, and as a teacher really lined up with what River Ridge Academy stands for.

What are your values and teaching philosophy?

We want kids to be successful in academics, but before they can be successful academically, I think it’s really important that we are meeting their basic needs. We want to make sure that children feel safe when they come to school, that they feel supported in the classroom, that they feel challenged and encouraged.

For me, we really hit that every day during our morning meeting. We foster a safe classroom community and build that classroom community so that every kid does come to school every day feeling all of those things. That way, those needs are met, and they’re in the right mind space to be able to learn and grow.

Since you started teaching last school year, what has been your greatest challenge?

I think I came into education at a really interesting time following a post-pandemic world. For me, a lot of the challenges are similar to challenges that all teachers across the nation are experiencing, which is helping kids close the gaps that they may have encountered during pandemic learning.

That’s been a challenge for me, just trying to figure out how we meet their needs as a fifth-grade student while also helping get them caught up to speed for maybe some of the things that they missed during the pandemic as well. We’ve tried to face those challenges head on and help them grow as well.

How are you involved with the school outside of teaching?

Last year I was an assistant coach for the Girls on the Run nonprofit, and this year I am the coach. We work on learning social emotional skills and how to deal with social pressure, how to build confidence and resiliency. Then, at the end of every practice, work on healthy habits, and we work on exercises and things that you can do to make yourself feel better physically and emotionally. That happens a couple of times a week, and then at the end of our program, there is a 5K race that celebrates all that they’ve accomplished.

What are your greatest joys as a teacher?

One of my favorite things is those little small moments, even if it’s during recess. Moments like getting the chance to shoot a basketball with them or just play a game with them in their dismissal when we’re just kind of sitting there waiting for time to go home.

They get to share things that they’re looking forward to about their weekend or what sports that they want, what games they want me to come watch them play in. Just really getting to know who they are as little people. I think that really makes a difference and helps connect with them.

What advice would you give to new teachers?

I would say take new risks, try new things, but also don’t be afraid to ask for help. For me, as a first-year teacher, in the beginning of my school year last year, I was really worried that people would be put off by my inexperience. I tried to compensate by not appearing inexperienced, but now I would say embrace the newness of being a teacher and all that comes with it. And reach out for help if you need it, whether that be support from Beaufort County, whether that be support from your district mentor, your administration, or from your team as a new teacher.

Answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.