Featured Photos: 1. Mr. Jason Rhodes hugs his children after being selected as the 2021 BCS Teacher of the Year. 2. BCS Supt. Dr. Tony Baldwin hands the Teacher of the Year cup to Jason Rhodes. 3. Jason Rhodes speaks at the podium at Buncombe County Middle College.
By: Benjamin Rickert
Photos By: Tim Reaves
BCS Communications Dept.
English teacher Jason Rhodes of Buncombe County Middle College has been selected as the 2021 Buncombe County Schools (BCS) Teacher of the Year. The annual teacher-led awards program recognizes and honors teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in education.
The Friday, Sept. 11, surprise announcement took place at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, the site of Buncombe County Middle College. Rhodes was greeted outdoors by fellow teachers, administrators, friends, and family as local radio personality Tammy Jones of Mix 96.5’s The Morning Mix hosted a short celebratory program.
During the outdoor ceremony, BCS Superintendent Dr. Baldwin recalled that the relationship between a student and teacher was always a driving force for Mr. Rhodes.
"I don't want to move anywhere in my career. I want to be right here at Middle College, because I think it's really one of the most special schools we have in the district," Rhodes said. "I want to be here for the kids... They come here and they find great opportunity. They find love and the support they need."
Rhodes was
announced as a finalist for the honor and one of seven District Teachers of the Year on May 8. The finalists were chosen from among
all 44 school Teachers of the Year in Buncombe County Schools. Rhodes will now represent the district as he competes for Western Region Teacher of the Year, and the winner of that title will become a finalist in the North Carolina Teacher of the Year program.
Prior to teaching eleventh and twelfth grade English at Buncombe County Middle College, Rhodes taught at A.C. Reynolds High School, West Henderson High School, and the Balfour Education Center. At Balfour (now called the HCPS Career Academy), he earned the National Life Group’s 2016-17
National LifeChanger of the Year award. At West Henderson High, he was named the 2010-11
Henderson County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Mr. Rhodes’s wife, Alison, is a school counselor at A.C. Reynolds Middle School.
“Mr. Rhodes believes in the potential of young women and men,” said Dr. Donna Lanahan, principal of Buncombe County Middle College. “He is their champion and advocate. Students recognize that Mr. Rhodes believes in them, and they point to him as a reason for their success at our school and beyond.”
Congratulations to Mr. Jason Rhodes for his outstanding accomplishment and contribution to public education! View the full surprise ceremony below.