Teacher of the Year: Moss realizes childhood dream as educator

Kylee Moss is honored to be chosen as Eugene Field’s Teacher of the Year for 2023.

“I teach because it is who I am,” Moss shared. “I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl. I love the kids and being a part of their education is important to me. Teaching is the best profession in the world.”

Her second-grade students don’t need a contest to tell them their choice for teacher of the year.

Moss’s pupils use words like kind, helpful, encouraging, cool, friendly, and nice.

One student claimed she does fun stuff in math and reading.

“Mrs. Moss helps us on hard work to know what to do,” he wrote.

Another student said, “Mrs. Moss helps us fix our problems. She is the best teacher I know.”

While her students are eager to sing her praises, her co-workers chime in with phrases like a team player, always goes the extra mile, strives for excellence, and stress she helps her students to love learning and to respect each other.

In nominating Moss, Cathy Burnett lists how Moss is the professional learning community leader for her team and works closely with the curriculum committee. She is on the Building Leadership team. Moss is the regular education co-teacher in the second-grade intensive reading room, which includes at-risk and special education students.

Burnett’s list includes a positive attitude, quick to embrace new and innovative ways to approach teaching. She calls her a staff stand-out in effectively and consistently implementing student leadership binders.

“Mrs. Moss is effective in communicating with our families and our staff,” Burnett said.

“She is focused on responding to students’ individual needs and strengths not just in academics but also in the areas of emotional and behavioral health,” said Brunett, adding words like “champion and hero” to her attributes.

Burnett said, Moss “holds her students to high standards and they are better because of it. Mrs. Moss does a tremendous job of capturing the hearts and emulating servant leadership for both our students and staff.”

Other staff also commend Moss.

Eugene Field interventionist Juliana Schalk said, “Mrs. Moss’s legacy of kindness and patience lives within all those she has touched. Her impact on so many lives resonates far beyond the walls of Eugene Field Elementary.”

Library Media Specialist Melissa Reese explained Moss, “is consistently looking for new ways and strategies to help struggling readers.”

Parents agree with the students and Moss’s coworkers.

One parent talked about Moss teaching the students to be more productive, to be responsible and to understand their work.

She said, “She’s keeping them on track and teaching them to be proactive. We also admire her for going over and beyond to teach our kids.”

Other parents said, “She has always shown compassion, professionalism, and honesty when reviewing or discussing our child. She truly cares about our child’s happiness … Mrs. Moss is to be commended for a job well done.”

Editor's Note: This is part of a continuing series recognizing local educators.