As part of their commitment to education, and to celebrate teachers in the Renton School District, each month members of Rotary Club of Renton selects a few teachers as Teacher of the Month.
December’s Teachers of the Month are:
Sara Emerson
Second Grade Teacher at Honey Dew Elementary
Sara Emerson began her college experience at City University of Seattle, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a degree in Special Education from Western Washington University. She continued her education at City University to earn a master’s degree in Curriculum and Specialized Instruction. Emerson has also taught first grade and worked for the Whatcom Family YMCA prior to becoming a teacher. This year is Emerson’s fourth year teaching in Renton.
Erika Klein
Second Grade Teacher at Lakeridge Elementary School
Erika Klein attended the Western Washington University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Social Studies Education. She is currently attending the University of Washington where she will earn a master’s in Instructional Leadership. Before teaching in Renton, Klein spent time teaching in the Bellingham School District and Halifax School District in North Carolina. This is Klein’s fourth year with the Renton School District.
Aurora McKinney
Visual Arts Teacher at Dimmitt Middle School
Aurora McKinney earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics and Bachelor of Arts, in Interdisciplinary Visual Art from the University of Washington. She also attended Western Washington University to earn a master’s in Teaching. McKinney has also taught in the Seattle Public Schools, at Lakeside High and ArtsCorps as a teacher/studio assistant. She also taught middle school art and computer science at Eckstein Middle School in Seattle. This is McKinney’s second year as a teacher in the Renton School District.
As part of the recognition, teachers attend Rotary’s Teacher of the Month recognition luncheon held at the Maplewood Golf Course. Each teacher is introduced, makes a brief comment about the school and classroom, and receives $200 to be used for classroom supplies or instructional materials.
