2021–2022 Beginning Teacher of the Year

2021–2022 Beginning Teacher of the Year
Posted on 05/24/2022
Lilly RoviraltaLilly Roviralta, a second grade teacher at Cool Spring Elementary School (CSES), has been named the 2021-22 Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS) Beginning Teacher of the Year. Roviralta, a former Cool Spring Dolphin, now teaches at the elementary school she attended.

“Coming in to work as a teacher at the same school I attended has been an incredible experience. I was able to quickly reconnect with familiar faces in a new way, as a professional, which allowed me to easily gain a positive working environment for me to grow as a teacher,” Roviralta said. “The love and support that is given at this school is one of the main reasons why I believe I have become the teacher that I have in such a short amount of time. It is also because of my work family that I believe I will continue to have a safe place to gain the knowledge needed to continue to grow.”

Dr. Michael Gill, Superintendent of Schools, made the announcement on Wednesday, May 18 at a CSES staff meeting, surprising Roviralta in front of her family and co-workers (some of whom she had as a teacher).

Roviralta called the recognition the “validation that all of the hard work I have put in has made an impact on my students, their families, and my colleagues.”

“Every day I put a great amount of love and care into teaching, and this recognition shows me that I am doing my students, CSES, and Hanover County Public Schools justice in doing so,” she said. “It is humbling and an incredible honor to be recognized.”

Roviralta also thanked the parents of her students.

“Throughout this year I have tried my best to provide a safe space for my students to learn, grow, and celebrate successes. They have so beautifully adopted this model from me, and in turn provided a safe space for me to learn, make mistakes, grow, and so kindly celebrate my successes,” she said. “I owe so much of my success this year to those 23 awesome 2nd graders! Parents, you are raising some incredible people!”

CSES Principal Sarah Pike said the school’s community is thrilled to see “Ms. Rovi” receive the recognition.

“Ms. Rovi teaches with energy, clarity, and high levels of student engagement. She is all about her students and their learning,” Pike said. “Every day, she demonstrates love and care for her students and encourages their individual growth and self-awareness. She prioritizes the classroom community, encouraging all of her students to be positive, productive and contributing citizens who look out for one another.

Pike added: “From this strong foundation of positive relationships, Ms. Rovi pushes her students to understand what they are learning and why they are learning it, providing consistent opportunities for students to apply new skills and reflect in every lesson and content. We are so lucky to have rockstar educators like Ms. Rovi here at CSES!”

Each year, HCPS selects one new teacher for this distinguished award who exhibits several qualities, such as: being inspirational, poised, articulate, and knowledgeable; exceptionally skilled and dedicated; respected and admired by students, parents, and colleagues; and actively and meaningfully involved in their school and community.
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