Captain Rayford honored as top state teacher

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zach Anderson
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  "Outstanding."

For students at Oklahoma City's Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School, the word is the highest form of praise. It's earned when a student has solved a particularly difficult math problem or shown significant progress and improvement within the classroom. 

Then, and only then, can a student expect to hear Capt. Roslynn Rayford issue the coveted compliment.

 "The students love her," said Lynn Kellert, principal at Belle Isle. "They will do anything to hear her say it." 

Perhaps it's only fitting that after eight years of motivating her students to be outstanding, Rayford has been recognized as being "outstanding" herself. Last month Rayford, who teaches math at Belle Isle, was recognized by the Oklahoma City Public School System as First-Runner Up in the Teacher of the Year Competition. In earning the honor,  Rayford was selected from over 2,500 teachers within the school system. 

"It is a great honor to be named the Oklahoma City Public Schools Teacher of the Year First-Runner Up," said Rayford. "Many of my colleagues are doing the 'good work of education' and I deeply appreciate their recognition of my work." 

Along with her civilian work as a teacher, Rayford has served 17 years in the Air Force, 11 as a reservist. She is currently the Chief of Military Equal Opportunity for the 507th Air Refueling Wing. Rayford said her experiences in the military have definitely contributed
to her success in the classroom. 

"The work ethic from the military is what I have brought to the teaching profession.  That and leadership. Without the leadership skills I've developed in the military, I wouldn't be the teacher leader I am," said Rayford. 

"Her communication skills are excellent," said Kellert. "Her ability to relate and lead is incredible. She's definitely a leader among the staff." 

Among other accomplishments, Rayford was honored for establishing interactive math programs at Belle Isle that allow students to apply both algebra and geometry skills to real-world situations. According to Kellert, these programs are producing a wide-reaching positive effect on the students at Belle Isle. 

"The math scores on the state tests this year were the highest they've ever been," she said. 

Rayford said that while the recognition is appreciated, accolades are not her ultimate goal as an educator. 

"I hope to have a tremendous impact on children's lives. I hope they take away a notion of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all they do. I try to model that behavior and facilitate their learning in both mathematics and leadership," said Rayford. 

If the opinions of her colleagues are any indicator, Rayford is already making that sort of impact. 

"She's one of the reasons we have such high-performing students," said Kellert. "There aren't enough like her. She's outstanding.