Our QDR Goldstar Teacher of the month is Dana Cortright, kindergarten teacher at Franklin Academy in Wake Forest.
I am writing to enthusiastically nominate my daughter’s kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Dana Cortright of Franklin Academy Charter School, for the Gold Star Teacher Award.
This is our daughter’s second year in kindergarten, and I can say without hesitation that because of Mrs. Cortright, our experience at Franklin Academy has been completely different — and overwhelmingly positive — this year. We could not be happier with our daughter’s school experience so far, and Mrs. Cortright is the reason why.
Mrs. Cortright is deeply dedicated to her kindergarten students and treats each child as if they were her own. She goes above and beyond every single day to ensure that every student feels safe, valued, supported, and excited to learn. Her passion for teaching kindergarten is evident in everything she does — from the engaging classroom environment she creates to the care she puts into making sure every child has the best experience possible during such an important year of their development.
She also invests countless hours outside of the school day, maintaining open and consistent communication with parents. She frequently uses her own personal time and money to support classroom projects, special activities, and holiday celebrations, always ensuring that her students feel included and celebrated.
Most importantly, Mrs. Cortright has had a profound impact on our family by guiding us in supporting our daughter’s extreme anxiety. She has gone far beyond her role as a classroom teacher by sharing valuable resources, advocating for our daughter within the school, and even opening up to us with personal insights that helped us better understand how to support our child. Her compassion, patience, and advocacy have made all the difference.
Because of Mrs. Cortright, our daughter is thriving. She feels safe, confident, and genuinely happy at school. Knowing how comfortable and supported our daughter feels in her classroom has given our entire family peace of mind, and that is a gift we will always be grateful for.
Mrs. Cortright exemplifies what it means to be a Gold Star Teacher. Her dedication, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to her students make her truly deserving of this recognition.