Ms. Kidd is an Ohio Teacher of the Year Nominee!

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Taya Kidd, second grade teacher at French Run Elementary School for her nomination for Ohio's Teacher of the Year!

The Ohio Teacher of the Year program is a State Board of Education program in existence since 1964. Annually, exceptional teachers are identified statewide and celebrated for their effective work in and outside the classroom. Their mission is to provide recognition, networking, and professional learning opportunities to a cohort of recognized teachers as leaders and advocates for public education.

Ms. Kidd was nominated by Ms. Kristina Doone, FRES's social worker. In her nomination, Ms. Doone wrote:

"Ms. Kidd deserves to be recognized due to her unwavering advocacy and education to her students, not only in her classroom but also outside of her classroom. She teaches her students both academically and real-world lessons, from basic mannerisms and life expectations all the way to tying academics into the specifics and safety of learning laws and following them (i.e. where and how to safely ride a bike). She has been an ongoing strong advocate for SEL and consistently implements those skills from curricula all the way to in-the-moment mediations and supports. Ms. Kidd not only serves students in her classroom, but she is constantly supporting older students and holding them accountable through building healthy relationships with them, as well as helping younger students who are having a difficult day. Ms. Kidd has implemented many school-wide functions to highlight the fun of elementary school, including developing and running a spring fling, while also offering her DJ’ing skills!

Whenever someone needs a helping hand, she is always there to offer her time to listen or extend a break to another staff member. As someone on the outside looking into her classroom, she makes sure her students' basic needs are met. She has made sure her students have clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and enough food at home – and if she finds out a family is struggling, she is instantly putting in the work to connect them with all the resources to help make the situation better. She also puts in time
outside of the educational realm and helps grow and support student athletes on the court. When I think about an educator who truly loves what she does and dedicates her time to help grow, develop, and support our youth AND their families, in and out of the classroom, Ms. Kidd is the adult who comes to mind."

The State Board District Teacher of the Year Cohort is comprised of 11 selected teachers from each State Board of Education region in Ohio. From this cohort, four will be selected as finalists, and finally, one will be selected to represent the cohort as the Ohio Teacher of the Year in the National Teacher of the Year program.

"Ms. Taya Kidd is an exemplary educator recognized for her unwavering advocacy and dedication to her students, both inside and outside the classroom," said Principal Fetty. 

Ms. Kidd's next step is to complete the application for Teacher of the Year, and then, over the summer, there will be updates as to where her nomination stands along the way. The 2027 Teacher of the Year will be announced in the Fall of 2026. Congratulations, Ms. Kidd, we are #REYNProud of you, and thank you for all you do for our District.