Carolyn Bradley named Teacher of the Year at River City Early College

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Carolyn Bradley, a veteran educator with 21 years of classroom experience, has been named Teacher of the Year at River City Early College, an honor she said reflects the strong culture of educators across the district.

Bradley began her teaching career in 2004 at Vicksburg Intermediate School. She moved to Bowmar in 2008 before joining RCEC in 2018, where she made the transition from elementary education to teaching at the high school level.

“I love teaching high school,” Bradley said. “I was really nervous about moving from elementary to high school, but I have loved it so much.”

She credited the environment and culture at RCEC for making the transition smooth, saying the supportive atmosphere helped her quickly feel at home.

A graduate of Vicksburg High School, Bradley earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mississippi State University and later completed a master’s degree in teaching at Alcorn State University. Her educational background and years of experience have shaped a teaching philosophy centered on connection and student development.

“My favorite thing about teaching is building relationships with my students,” she said. “I love being a small part of their journey.”

Bradley said her goal is for students to leave her classroom prepared for the next stage of their lives, whether that involves college, a career or other paths. She focuses on building students’ confidence and interpersonal skills, while also helping them understand the importance of service and giving back.

When she learned she had been selected as Teacher of the Year, Bradley said she was surprised by the recognition.

“Honestly, I was really surprised,” she said. “There are so, so many amazing teachers in our district. It is really such an honor to be chosen.”

The Teacher of the Year process begins at each school, where teachers vote to select a representative. Each school’s honoree then participates in an interview as part of the districtwide selection process.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Bradley serves as the Key Club sponsor and the Lighthouse coordinator at RCEC. She is also a district leader in Me Coach.

Bradley said her personal goal as an educator is rooted in leadership and creating a safe, positive learning environment for students. Quoting author Stephen Covey, she said, “Leadership is communicating the worth and potential of people so clearly that they are inspired to see themselves.”

She said that belief drives her work each day and serves as the foundation for building a supportive culture for learning.