Mandi Pitts, a teacher from Checotah, was recently chosen as Teacher of the Year award from the Ki Bios Foster Grandparent Program on March 22 in Tahlequah.

Pitts, who earned a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Northeastern State University in 2009 and recently completed a rigorous two-year LETRS program, delving into the Science of Reading, has dedicated her whole career to educating children.

Prior to teaching, she owned and operated a licensed daycare for seven years and helped over 30 children reach their reading goals of reading 1,000 books before kindergarten.

Then when she became a kindergarten teacher at Marshall Elementary, Pitts began going above and beyond to maximize her students’ academic potential by fostering a culture of lifelong learning.

One example of this is her class meeting the school-wide goal of reading over 200 books to her students throughout the school year. Each year she has completed and exceeded this goal.

She also engages her classroom in cultural experiences through curriculum, complete with traditional attire and culinary delights. This creates a nurturing and stimulating classroom environment where every child feels valued and supported in their development and she incorporates play-based learning activities and interactive storytelling sessions to engage her students to have a passion for reading even at an early age.

Recently Pitts applied for a local grant that would allow her to send home a new book with every student in her class every month. This will be the fourth year that she has received this grant if she is approved meaning that she has provided over 700 books to students in Checotah that they can enjoy at home and school.

Pitts not only excels as an educator, but she also actively participates in her community by volunteering her time at band concessions, working the gate for basketball games, and actively engaging through her involvement in her church’s teen youth group, preschool class, and nursery. She also organizes activities and accompanies youth to camp.

After-school Pitts tutors students and assist them with homework and during the summer she bridges the educational gap that students often face by offering tutoring services to students who might be in danger of falling behind. Not only is this an invaluable resource that benefits the students, but also it benefits the future teachers of these students.

Another teacher and mentor, Amanda Davis, praised Pitts for her lasting impact on the school and community through her tireless dedication to literacy, volunteering, and mentorship.

“Mandi is truly deserving of the Teacher of the Year award for her exceptional contributions to education and the well-being of her students and her community,” Davis said. “She works tirelessly to increase literacy for all students and always finds ways to provide books for these students. Mandi understands the importance of reading to her students daily and the impact it has on their ability to learn to read. Therefore she makes reading a daily priority and it shows.

“My daughter, Delaney, who is now a third grader, had Mandi as her kindergarten teacher and she still talks about Mrs. Pitts’ class. That’s how impressionable her class was and still is today!

“Also out of Mandi’s classroom, Vickie Brinsfield was also one of four grandparents chosen for Volunteer of the Year. Grandma Vickie’s presence in the classroom has been a blessing for kindergartners who may not have a grandparent figure in their lives.

“I could go on and on about all the amazing things Mandi does for her students, but I will just say this, it is great that she is finally being recognized for the honor she deserves.”