Riggle named Banner's April Teacher of the Month

With her proud classroom of second-graders sharing in her honor, Deer Meadow Primary School teacher Jennifer Riggle receives a $50 gift card from Banner Graphic General Manager Daryl Taylor for winning the April Teacher of the Month award.

With the endorsement of a parent who volunteers in her room, Jennifer Riggle of Deer Meadow Primary School has taken the honor of the Banner Graphic April Teacher of the Month.

Riggle was nominated by classroom volunteer Erin Sprinkle, who has had two children in Riggle's room in recent years.

"Mrs. Riggle is an amazing teacher who goes above and beyond for her students," Sprinkle wrote in her nomination. "She always makes sure all students are treated equal and makes sure that if they need the little help they get it. She is also a very active person on the PTO and if there is ever a school function she is there, greeting every kid with a smile.

"If it was not for her, my oldest son would not have gotten the help he needs, so for that and everything she has done we are grateful."

Our voters agreed, giving Riggle the votes she needed to gain the honor.

Riggle found out from a different parent who had been checking the website for results.

"I had a mom tell me. I didn't know," Riggle said. "She had been checking it online. It wasn't the mom who nominated me."

Riggle is a 15-year teaching veteran, spending the last 10 at Deer Meadow. She has served as both a special education teacher and in her current role as a second-grade teacher.

She has two children, 10-year-old Jack is a fifth-grader and 6-year-old Sophia is a first-grader.

The teacher said she is unsure what she will do with the $50 gift card given by the Banner Graphic, but it will probably be something math-related.

Winning the April honor also makes Riggle eligible for the Teacher of the Year award, to be chosen in June. The Teacher of the Year will receive a $500 grand prize, sponsored by First National Bank.

The winning teacher's school will also receive a $500 grand prize grant, sponsored by the Putnam County Community Foundation. The teacher will designate the program within the school that the grant will benefit.

The nomination period for the May Teacher of the Month award is open now through Friday, May 17 at www.banner-graphic.com. May voting will be open May 23-28.