‘Always Above & Beyond’ – EG Teacher of Year Kara Ratigan

by | Nov 26, 2014

Kara Ratigan’s always been one of those teachers everyone wants – students and parents alike.

“You got Mrs. Ratigan?”  “Your child got Mrs. Ratigan?” … “You’re so lucky,” is the frequent refrain in August and September.

She’s just one of those teachers. Recently the Eldredge Elementary fourth-grade teacher was recognized by the state Department of Education as the East Greenwich Teacher of the Year.

It’s the second time in two years that a teacher from Eldredge was honored – Elaine Smith was named EG Teacher of the Year last year.

“I was just so touched by it,” said Ratigan after a recent School Committee meeting where she was honored. All the honorees from around the state were celebrated at a special Waterfire in Providence in September. “It was really neat,” she said.

The way the process works, according to Eldredge Principal Dom Giusti, is someone has to nominate the teacher. In this case, it was the family of a former student.

“It’s really nice when it comes from a parent,” he said.

About Ratigan, Giusti was enthusiastic in his praise.

“Kara’s fabulous. We alway expect everyone at Eldredge to go above and beyond and she sets the bar. She leads the charge,” he said. “Any new initiative, she raises her hand first. At the tech conference – she went before it was popular. She goes to the all-day Saturday STEM conference at Rhode Island College. She’s the liaison with the PTG. I don’t have to ask her to do anything. She volunteers before I get a chance to call her.”

When it comes to her students, said Giusti, “It’s all about the kids. Every single day, there’s a smile on her face. She individualizes all instruction. She does it all.”

He noted Ratigan often gets contacted by area universities to act as a critic-teacher for their teaching students. “Everyone wants her,” he said.

And East Greenwich has got her. We’re so lucky.


Sign up for the EG News newsletter  here. You can like us on Facebook  here, or follow us on Twitter (@egreenwichnews)  here.

And, if you like what you’re reading, consider supporting East Greenwich News by clicking here.

 

Value the news you get here on East Greenwich News? As a 501-c3, we depend on reader support. Become a sustaining (monthly) donor or make a one-time donation! Click on the Donate button below or send a check to EG News, 18 Prospect St., East Greenwich, RI 02818. Thanks.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

6 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Therese Vezeridis
November 27, 2014 7:54 am

The Influence of a Great Teacher lasts a Lifetime!!!

I live in East Greenwich
I live in East Greenwich
November 27, 2014 4:53 pm

I wish every East Greenwich

I live in East Greenwich
I live in East Greenwich
November 27, 2014 4:54 pm

I wish every East Greenwich school is like Eldredge.

Charlie Meyers
Charlie Meyers
November 28, 2014 1:42 pm

Wow!

EG and its families are fortunate to have a person of Kara’s caliber. She’s a real professional and an extremely dedicated individual both in and outside the classroom.

I knew I hired a Winner!

Congrats Kara!! Eldredge Rocks!

Charles E. Meyers
Former Principal and Superintendent in EG

Joe
Joe
December 2, 2014 8:29 pm

I’m so glad she’s my teacher- she’s awesome!!! 🙂

RELATED STORIES

Newsletter Sign Up

* indicates required

Archives

Latest Streaming