Social studies teacher Rachael Edwards has been Chapman’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Edwards said winning the award was a shock even though she prides herself on being a hard worker.

“I keep to myself and do my job, and if my job inspires anyone else, that’s great,” she said. “But if not, I’m still going to do my job no matter what.”

Edwards said that time and experience helped her earn this recognition.

“Working for 10 years is what helped me get Teacher of the Year,” she said. “In the beginning, I don’t think I deserved it because I didn’t really know what I was doing, but now I’ve gotten better at this.”

Edwards truly deserved the honor in the eyes of her students, including sophomores Ian Coates and Lola Hoss.

“Mrs. Edwards 100% deserves it,” he said. “She’s a great teacher. I’ve learned a lot about government from her, and I’m really happy for her.”

“She very much deserved Teacher of the Year because she is very in touch with her students, and she takes alot of pride in the work that she does,” Hoss said. “Every year she made me feel very welcome. She is very intriguing in the way she teaches, and if I were picking Teacher of the Year, I would pick her.”

Principal Matt Davis praised Edwards and the significance of her award.

“It takes someone special to get this award,” Davis said. “When I saw her name pop up, the first thing that came to my mind was that this is a wonderful choice.”

Davis noted, too, that she has made an impact beyond the classroom.

“She’s very impactful in the classroom and out of the classroom as a coach with cross country and track,” he said.