Drexel's Melissa McClure honored as Burke County Teacher of the Year

She’s been a wedding coordinator and has worked in a golf shop, but Drexel Elementary teacher Melissa McClure found her calling when, as a child, she lined up her stuffed animals and pretended to be their teacher.

Now the local educator has been selected to represent her Burke County peers as county Teacher of the Year. District leaders surprised McClure and her students with the announcement during music class on Monday, March 31.

McClure has taught math to Drexel fourth graders for seven years, following two years as a first-grade teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from UNC Wilmington with minors in English and psychology and a concentration in behavioral studies.

“At the beginning of my career, I was simply excited to arrive for work and make positive changes in the lives of my students,” McClure said. “Now that I have been teaching for nine years, I am still equally as excited to make a difference in the lives of students, but I have challenged myself to continue to grow and expand my own experience and knowledge as a teacher.”

A leader in her field, McClure leads a math PLC (professional learning community), mentors student teachers, and participates in the BCPS Teacher Leaders’ Forum and district learning rounds. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in curriculum specialties from Appalachian State University.

McClure emphasizes the importance of student relationships. “I work to intentionally build relationships with all of my students, and I teach social-thinking strategies that allow students to form healthy relationships with one another. I strive to create a classroom community in which students feel safe, loved, and empowered.”

She encourages young teachers to set high expectations. “Our students deserve the absolute best education that we can offer, and that starts with teachers who believe that their students can achieve difficult goals.”

McClure said she believes educators should lead by example. “I also believe that it is extremely important to advise beginning teachers to be flexible, open-minded, and to have a growth mindset. Through adapting these traits, teachers become open to change, accept and learn from feedback, and persist through challenges.

“These qualities are what we expect from students, but we should also expect these same qualities from ourselves as educators,” she said.

McClure’s classroom is a study in thinking of creative ways to help her pupils learn. For example, she uses a help desk system in her classroom to ensure she is reaching all students.

“Since I usually have a large number of students in my class (ranging from 24-29 pupils on average), it is extremely important that students are able to access quality help resources on their own. A help desk is a physical desk or table that students can visit when they need assistance with a specific skill.

“My help desk changes based on the subject and task, but it always includes visuals (such as anchor charts or diagrams), answer keys, videos, and/or example problems/questions,” McClure explained. “I also set up virtual help desks, which are Google Slides presentations that include videos, pictures, and explanations for specific content. These are excellent resources for students to access at home when they need help with homework.”

A Hickory native and St. Stephens High School graduate, McClure always knew she would be a teacher. “When I was in preschool, I came home from school, lined up my stuffed animals, and taught them about the ‘letter of the day.’ I also subjected my younger brother to similar lessons when I was in elementary school. I never considered a different career path for myself, and I am so grateful that my choices have led me to BCPS.”

McClure and her husband, Kai, enjoy traveling, exploring bookstores, and spending time with their dogs and cats. She credits her parents, Chris and Amy Cook, for their unwavering support. In her rare free time, she loves to read and be with family and friends.

Each school selects a Teacher of the Year, who then advances to the district-level competition, (see info box) culminating in an interview panel process. McClure will now represent Burke County at the regional level. She and all school-level honorees will be recognized at the April 8 Burke County Board of Education meeting.

Burke County Public Schools partners with Paramount Ford Hyundai of Valdese to purchase a vehicle for the Teacher of the Year to use for one year, covering insurance and maintenance. At the end of the year, the honoree has the option to purchase the vehicle or return it, where it may be added to the district’s fleet or the driver’s education program.

Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan said, “Congratulations to Mrs. McClure on this well-deserved honor. She was first recognized by her peers as Drexel’s Teacher of the Year and then distinguished herself through a rigorous district-level selection process.

“Mrs. McClure exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator — her commitment to student success, innovative approach to teaching, and leadership within the school and district set her apart. We are proud to have her represent Burke County Public Schools at the regional level, and we know she will continue to inspire both her students and colleagues.”

Drexel Elementary Principal Leanna McKinney added, “Mrs. McClure is an exceptional educator whose dedication to her students and passion for teaching make her truly deserving of this recognition. She challenges her students to reach their highest potential while fostering a love for learning, and her leadership extends beyond her classroom as she mentors future educators and collaborates with colleagues to strengthen instruction. We are incredibly proud of her and grateful to have her as part of the Drexel family.”

— SWQ