Channel 6 News recognized our first Outstanding Educator on Friday when we surprised Midway ISD Physical Education teacher Jalayne Rinewalt.
WATCH THE SURPRISE:
Rinewalt, who teaches at Castleman Creek Elementary School, was nominated by Assistant Principal Clint Glaesmann.
"Coach Rinewalt just is the heart and soul of our campus," Glaesmann said. "She goes above and beyond. She comes in on the weekends to take care of projects. We have a playground right now she's helping to build and paint."
Rinewalt is beloved by her fellow teachers for actively building a community at school. She is known for emailing devotionals on Mondays and for making creative music videos at school. Her love for her Midway ISD family was on display in 2016 when former Midway High School Principal Sharon Zachry died suddenly in a car crash. Following the crash, Rinewalt immediately organized a memorial gathering at the elementary school, Glaesmann said.
"There's no amount of words that can ever convey how much we appreciate what she does," Glaesman added.
Rinewalt has taught at Midway ISD for 19 years. She has worked at Castleman Creek since the school opened nine years ago.
"My goal is just to keep the love that I have for teaching and the excitement that I have to be able to keep letting the 'kiddos' know that I want what's best for them," Rinewalt said. "I'm just going to keep working hard."
Both her parents were also local educators, and they still do substitute teaching on occasion.
If you would like to nominate someone for Channel 6's monthly Outstanding Educator award, click here. The award is sponsored by our friends at Edible Arrangements.