Heather Roché is a 2007 graduate of Gardner-Webb University and received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University in 2013. She began her teaching career at the grammar school in 2007 and has played an integral part since its inception. Through the years, she has consistently set high standards for both her students and herself. Heather has a passion for reading instruction and exemplifies leadership and a drive for lifelong learning in this area. She is in the process of becoming a trainer for Reading Research to Classroom Practice and was recently accepted to the Dyslexia Delegate training program. Last school year and through quarantine, she also led a book study on Equipped for Reading Success for all grammar school teachers. Beyond her expertise in reading instruction, Heather has been instrumental in setting up the MTSS program at the grammar school. She has served on our MTSS team for 5 years and has been the MTSS Co-coordinator for the past 2 years. Last year, Heather also became the Title 1 Coordinator and has done a wonderful job setting up the new interventionist program. Upon being named Teacher of the Year, Ms. Roché expressed, “I am very appreciative of this honor and would not be the educator I am today without the continued support of parents, students, colleagues, and administrators.” Principal at the grammar campus, Jason Cole, remarked, “Heather’s dedication to teaching, both our students as well as our staff, has played an integral part in making Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy the academic institution it is today.”