Educator Spotlight: Rita Axford

RITA AXFORD

Before landing at Harding Middle School in 2020, intervention specialist Rita Axford spent a number of years in one of our CHAMPS classrooms at Horace Mann. The move from elementary and middle school may have seemed daunting, but Rita quickly became an integral member of the middle school team by embodying the core competencies of our Vision of a Lakewood Educator and jumping right in.

Her desire to continuously seek ways to enhance the learning environment for all students, both in and out of the classroom, has led her to take on a number of leadership and adviser roles within the school. Besides helping seventh grades students master their reading and math lessons, Rita facilitates the Reset Room, knowing how important a safe and quiet space can be for students, and also chaperones the 8th grade Washington D.C. trip. She also started the Stitchers afterschool club for students to learn knitting and crocheting. The therapeutic nature of the craft is one of the reasons Stitchers appealed to her, said Rita. “Its fun to see kids get into something that could help them in ways they don’t even know,” she says.

Rita’s involvement with students in various settings and her  empathy and ease of communication allows her to build meaningful connections with her students across their years at Harding. It’s not just students she strives to connect with either. Rita has served as an officer on the Harding PTSA all four years she’s been there and did so at Horace Mann as well. She knows the importance of building relationships with parents and says its also a good way to get to know the community better.

Says Rita’s nominator, teaching and learning coordinator Casey Squires: “Rita Axford is an outstanding educator who consistently goes above and beyond for her students and the entire school community. She truly embodies the Vision of a Lakewood Ranger, making a lasting impact through her dedication, leadership, and compassion.”