Jessica Flynn shows her fifth-graders the gift basket she won for being one of CCSD’s New Educators of the Year on Wednesday, May 6, 2015.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 | 4:37 p.m.
Jessica Flynn was speechless when administrators from the Clark County School District suddenly entered her fifth-grade classroom at CT Sewell Elementary this afternoon with a gift basket and banners in hand.
She didn’t know how to respond, so her students did it for her.
“She pushes us hard to do our work and do better things,” said one student.
“She wants us to learn and have fun at the same time,” said another.
Flynn was one of six teachers honored today as part of Teacher Appreciation Week. While some events during the week are aimed at teachers who have worked in Clark County for years, today’s New Educator of the Year awards went to newcomers.
Around a year ago, Flynn was living in Michigan when she decided to come to work in CCSD.
“My daughter and I packed up everything and drove here in four days,” she said. “My daughter was in the backseat following the map.”
She said she quickly found out that a lot of her students were also from other states.
“I just got started and fell in love with the place,” Flynn said.
She credits CT Sewell Principal Holly Ratliff and the rest of the faculty and staff for nurturing a team environment.
“The principal had an open door, parents were incredibly supportive and students just had an overabundance of love, even on the bad days,” Flynn said.
Inside the gift basket: Gift cards donated by district staff, a cake and a variety of small treats.
CT Sewell, a five-star school in Henderson, is no stranger to surprises. Last year, teacher Brenda Moynihan was surprised with the news that she had won $100,000 for the school through a grant competition hosted by Farmer’s Insurance.
Other CCSD newbies honored in today’s competition include Cashman Middle School teacher Tim Thompson, Beckley Elementary physical education teacher Kevin Grimm and Mojave High School teacher Stephen Bock.
They, along with Flynn, will be honored at CCSD’s next board meeting, on May 14.
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