Melissa Patrick Horatio Elementary and Horatio School District Teacher of the Year
Melissa Patrick is currently teaching third grade at Horatio Elementary School. She has been with the Horatio School District for 9 of her 16 years in education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2008 from Southern Arkansas University. She also recently acquired her Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.
Ms. Patrick is a chairman of the Elementary Behavior Team, a member of the BX3 Team, a Lead Teacher, and the district Leader of our CERT Team. She is also the parent/family involvement coordinator for the elementary school and started the elementary PTO committee this year. She is a certified Apple Teacher, a level 3 certified Arkansas Tutoring Corps member, and she takes on a second job with after school tutoring through the Save the Children program.
Ms. Patrick's philosophy of education is simple, "all children are unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow mentally, emotionally, and socially. It has always been my desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential."
Bridgett Emerson is Horatio High School Teacher of the Year
Bridgett began working at Horatio High School in 2017. Prior to that, she received her B.S. in education specializing in Secondary ELA from Texas A&M University - Texarkana in December of 2004. Bridgett’s family came first, and she was a stay at home mom prior to entering the classroom. Since being employed at HHS, she has earned Google certification, Apple Teacher, and Teacher Leader designation on my teaching certificate. In efforts to create lasting relationships with her students,
Bridgett is involved with EF Tours which is an organization that encourages and enables students to travel abroad. This summer, she will lead her first tour to Athens and Argolida. Bridgett and her students will spend seven days immersing themselves in the Greek culture. In addition, she is also a co-sponsor of the Horatio chapter of the National Honor Society. This organization allows students and sponsors to volunteer their time in the community to organizations such as Operation Christmas Child and The Salvation Army.
When our district elected department chairs Bridgett was honored to serve as the ELA Department Chair for two years. Currently, she represents the high school in our district PPC. During the 2022-203 school year, she was accepted to the Teacher Leader program through Arkansas Leadership Academy. The TLP is an approved pathway for DESE’s Career Continuum Lead Professional licensure designation. This designation is now attached to her teaching license.
An educational philosophy is not something a teacher can simply create and expect it to be unmalleable. In a world marked by diversity and disparity, education stands as the cornerstone of societal progress and individual empowerment and growth. However, traditional approaches often overlook the complexity of human development, focusing solely on academic achievement rather than holistic growth. It is only when these two perspectives merge that a well-rounded education occurs. Her philosophy of education seeks to redefine the purpose and practice of schooling, emphasizing the cultivation of the whole child and ensuring equitable access to quality education for all, regardless of socioeconomic status, geographical location, or post-secondary aspirations. As an educator, Bridgett reflects this philosophy in her work through various practices and actions. First and foremost, she implements a holistic approach to education. She ensures her teaching practices addresses not only academic standards but also the social, emotional, and physical aspect of learning. This is easily done using our district adopted ELA curriculum, Her Perspectives. Creating an inclusive classroom environment where all students feel accepted and seen is a cardinal rule for establishing a relationship based on mutual respect. It is paramount for her classroom to be welcoming and inviting to every student in our school. Bridgett finds it necessary to incorporate materials, resources, and methods that will reach each of my students’ truths. Representation matters in the classroom. Lastly, she attempts to create thinkers who will become lifelong learners. In essence, critical thinking is indispensable for navigating the complexities of the modern world, fostering intellectual independence, and contributing to individual and collective well-being. By honing critical thinking skills, individuals can become more effective problem-solvers, informed decision-makers, and active participants in society.
