Raylena Bevington ʼ17 recognized as Ohio District 9 Teacher of the Year
Raylena Bevington, intermediate through high school orchestra and music teacher at Canton City Schools, was among 11 teachers announced to receive the 2027 Ohio State Board District Teacher of the Year honors.
According to the Ohio State Board of Education, the Teacher of the Year program started in 1964 with the purpose of annually identifying exceptional teachers statewide and celebrating their effective work in and outside the classroom.
“To be recognized among the Top 11 Ohio Teacher of the Year finalists is a reminder that education is about making a difference, one student at a time,” said Bevington. “This recognition means more than being about one teacher — it’s about every student who has challenged me to grow, every colleague who has supported me, and every family who has trusted me. I’m honored to represent a profession built on hope, growth, and belief that every child can succeed.”
Although music is Bevington’s subject, her teaching extends beyond the classroom, helping students become individuals of integrity. She often tells others, “I don’t just teach music, I teach life,” as she watches students leave her classroom not only with a greater music appreciation, but also with the confidence to make a positive impact on the world.
“What excites me most about working with this generation is the opportunity to help them build meaningful human connections,” Bevington said. “I want students to feel what it means to collaborate, support one another, and create something meaningful together. Music has that exact capability to bring people closer, working towards a common goal. In an ensemble, every individual matters, and every voice contributes to something greater than itself. Watching students grow in empathy, confidence, and respect for one another through face-to-face connections is what I am most excited to nurture in this generation.”
And through a remarkable journey in her teaching career, Bevington credits her Malone experience with instilling one of the most important lessons she has carried throughout her life: the importance of leading with love.
“My time at Malone University shaped not only the teacher I have become, but also the person I strive to be each day,” she said. “One of the most meaningful lessons I learned was to meet students where they are and to ‘love them anyway.’ No matter what a student may be facing, each new day is a chance to press the reset button and provide the support, care, and belief they need to succeed. That philosophy continues to guide my approach to teaching and building relationships with my students.”