Reed district honors teachers, staff at end-of-year celebration

Del Mar Middle School eighth-grade history teacher Anthony Armstrong waves to his colleagues after being named the Reed Union School District’s 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year during the district’s end-of-year Celebration of Education on May 24. (Elliot Karlan / For The Ark)

The way Anthony Armstrong cares for his students is evident from the moment they step foot into his eighth-grade history classroom, said Del Mar Middle School Principal Brian Lynch.

Armstrong is known for holding his students to a high standard.

“Rising eighth-graders can be a little nervous entering his class, wondering if they can measure up, yet find that his organization, his structure, his knowledge and those high expectations support them to excel,” Lynch said.

When students struggle or make mistakes, Lynch said, Armstrong is there “with genuine care (and) a willingness to help.” He noted Armstrong often forgoes emails to send voice messages to students and their families, giving clear input on how students can improve or simply recognizing their success in the classroom.

For his dedication to his students, Armstrong was named the Reed Union School District’s Teacher of the Year for 2020-2021. He was one of more than a dozen teachers, classified staff and retirees honored at the district’s year-end Celebration of Education, which was held May 24 at Bel Aire Elementary School after being canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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