Russellville Elementary School students spent May 15-17 celebrating in myriad of ways for the school’s Celebration of Success.

“The purpose of the celebration is to honor all the kids for the hard work that they do throughout the school year,” assistant principal Paula Young said.

The third through fifth grade classes each had their own awards days.

Third-graders received Accelerated Reader Recognition Awards, PE Awards, Perfect Attendance Awards, Kelsey Wright Courageous Spirit Awards and an Art Award.

Fourth-grade students received Accelerated Reader Recognition Awards, PE Awards, Duke Talent Identification Program Awards, Perfect Attendance Awards and Kelsey Wright Courageous Spirit Award.

Fifth-grade students received Accelerated Reader Recognition Awards, PE Awards, Duke Talent Identification Program Awards, Chorus Awards, Perfect Attendance Awards, the Kelsey Wright Courageous Spirit Award and the President’s Award for Educational Excellence.

In addition to the students being recognized, Paula Pounders was recognized as Teacher of the Year. Young said all of the faculty voted based on the list of eligible certified teachers.

“She has worked really hard this year with our math teachers to provide resources to them and work closely with them and has also served as our math coach this year,” Young said.

Pounders said that she was “extremely honored” and humbled by the recognition.

“I was totally surprised. I’m so thankful that my colleagues believe in me,” Pounders said.

According to Pounders, the focus this school year was on math research and how children understand numbers. She said the teachers have worked diligently to design lessons to maximize student engagement that will “lead to an understanding of the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of making numbers work.”

“RES is truly a special place,” Pounders said. “Our teachers are so passionate and willing to challenge themselves in order to become even better. Our students have grown tremendously and continue to make us proud.”

Along with the awards and certificates, the students got to celebrate by having an inflatable party and a dance party during the week.