Cleveland City Schools announces that Emily Raper, seventh grade English/language arts teacher at Cleveland Middle School, has been named the Southeast Region Teacher of the Year for middle grades. Mrs. Raper is one of 27 finalists from across the state selected by a group of regional judges.
Dr. Russell Dyer, director of Cleveland City Schools, said, “Mrs. Raper is a leader among leaders and I am glad to hear of her selection as a Region-Level Teacher of the Year for Southeast Tennessee. Her impact on the students at Cleveland Middle School can't be easily measured.
Congratulations to Mrs. Raper on her recognition.”
Mrs. Raper has been a teacher at Cleveland Middle School for seven years. She is a member of the School Leadership Team and is an ELA Teacher Leader for the school district. Mrs. Raper serves on the board of trustees for the Association for Middle Level Education. She is a Google Certified Educator and participated in the Microcredential Teacher-Leader Program for the Tennessee Department of Education. Mrs. Raper directs and produces the annual musical at Cleveland Middle School and organizes a Summer Theater Camp for the community.
Dr. Leneda Laing, Cleveland Middle School principal, stated, “Mrs. Raper is an exemplary teacher and embodies the criteria of Teacher of the Year. She is a teacher that is innovative with high standards, and she is committed to reaching every student in her classroom. Mrs. Raper is a fierce advocate for middle level philosophy and presents her classroom innovations at local and national meetings. Mrs. Raper creates community in her classroom with both the students and their parents, who feel welcome and loved. Cleveland Middle School is excited and proud that Mrs. Emily Raper has achieved this distinction, and we wish her the best of luck as she proceeds in the competition.”
A graduate of Lee University, Mrs. Raper is married to Cody Raper. She will now compete for the Tennessee Teacher of the Year which is announced in October.