Crystal Bryant, who has taught science at Rochelle Middle School for 21 years, has been honored by the North Carolina Science Teachers Association as District Science Teacher of the Year. She will be featured during an awards presentation at an NCSTA event in Winston-Salem in November and was presented a certification of recognition Monday night by Superintendent Brent Williams, left, and Bruce Hill, chair of the Lenoir County Board of Education.

Crystal Bryant, a career classroom teacher who sets high expectations for herself and for her students at Rochelle Middle School, has been named District Science Teacher of the Year by the North Carolina Science Teachers Association.

Recognized for her award by the Lenoir County Board of Education on Monday night, Bryant will be featured during an awards presentation at an NCSTA event in Winston-Salem in November.

A teacher for 24 years, Bryant has taught science at Rochelle Middle for 21 years and during that time has distinguished herself as an innovator and creator of engaging lessons.

“With her energetic enthusiasm and creative approach, Ms. Bryant has been able to successfully motivate her students to become independent, self-directed students of science, which has resulted in yearly proficiency and academic growth on end-of-year testing in the area of science,” her principal, Terry Wooten, wrote in a letter of recommendation that accompanied the award nomination.

A graduate of Kinston High School, Bryant has also served LCPS and Kinston High as a track coach and athletic trainer.

“She gets her class on task very quickly and her scores are always outstanding. She leads the school and the county in many cases,” Superintendent Brent Williams said Monday night in presenting Bryant with a certificate of recognition. “It’s not about test scores. It’s about the impact on children year in and year out, both in the classroom and on the field of athletics. She represents everything a teacher ought to be.”

Christel Carlyle, LCPS’s director of middle grades education, calls Bryant “an asset to the students she serves and to Lenoir County Public Schools.”

Among “impressive qualities” Carlyle noted in a letter of support for Bryant’s nomination were “her determination for student success, professionalism in the workplace and high expectations for both students and for herself.

“Ms. Bryant never complains and never ceases to exceed expectations when it comes to doing what’s right for kids,” Carlyle said.

Before the school board Monday night, Bryant expressed her appreciation for the recognition. “I certainly am excited to represent our district,” she said.