Veronica
Williams-Payne stands with her former science students at Mansfield Middle
School. A teacher who “is constantly striving for effective ways to reach all learners” is Mansfield City Schools’ Every Student, Every Day Champion for February.
Veronica Williams-Payne, the district’s recently appointed talented and gifted teacher, previously taught science at Mansfield Middle School. She was nominated for the monthly champion award by fellow teacher Sherry Reese-Vaught who called her “an inspiration to me.”
“I have known Ms. Payne’s work for years. I was blessed to work on a team with her at Hedges years ago,” Reese-Vaught wrote. “I know how hard she works to reach all students. We still discuss challenges, academics and the art of teaching
“She is constantly striving for effective ways to reach all learners, even those who do not read well in seventh grade. She uses the content of science to draw kids in and motivate them to want to do better. She started a mentoring program at the middle school to have adults touch base with kids whose grades were falling so they would know that someone cared.”
Stephen Rizzo, the district’s chief academic officer, congratulated Williams-Payne and said she will be recognized at the board of education meeting on March 20.