Coventry honors district teacher of the year; pins two students headed to teacher training

Samantha Taylor, Coventry Public Schools’ 2024 district teacher of the year, described her year-long work with Rhode Island’s teacher-of-the-year cohort and reflected on her growth as a special education teacher during a school committee meeting.

Taylor told the committee she participated in monthly professional learning communities led by the state teacher of the year and had opportunities to “teach, learn, and lead” with peers from across Rhode Island. She said representing Coventry at state events — including a WaterFire ceremony in Providence attended by the governor and education officials — gave her “a real understanding of who I was as an educator” and “built my confidence as a teacher.”

The committee and superintendent Don Cowhertz noted that Coventry’s selection and support process for the district teacher of the year has been presented to other districts as an example of best practice. Cowhertz said he and Taylor were asked to present Coventry’s selection process to the statewide teacher-of-the-year cohort.

As part of the evening’s recognition, Taylor conducted the district’s annual “Future Educator” pinning for high school seniors pursuing education programs after graduation. Two students attended the meeting and received pins and certificates from the Rhode Island Department of Education. Superintendent Cowhertz said eight students were nominated districtwide; three were available to attend the meeting.

Taylor closed by thanking district colleagues and saying she looks forward to “passing the torch to the next deserving educator.”