HAVELOCK, N.C. — For Teacher Appreciation Week, fourth-grade teacher Nardi Routten got to ride with the Blue Angels.

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing use the Cherry Point Air Show to express appreciation to community partners for their enduring support for Marines, sailors and families stationed in the area. This year’s show will take place May 11-12. 

Nardi Routten was selected as this year’s key influencer for the air show. She was picked by the Blue Angels for a ride in an F/A-18 Super Hornet because of her hard work and dedication to her community through teaching. 

She is Craven County's Teacher of the Year.

Routten grew up wanting to be a teacher. 

“It was when my oldest was in kindergarten, and I just got that draw, like I was drawn to teaching,” she said. 

Routten says she had two teachers who were role models. 

“I had two teachers in my lifetime who really pulled potential out of me and they did not allow me to use circumstances as excuses. They provided me what I needed, like resources, tutoring, help, things like that. It's like I want to be a teacher like that,” Routten said. 

She has created opportunities for students outside of school hours through tutoring and field trips, as well as being part of the Teacher Advisory Board and the National Assessment Governing Board helping to shape education. 

“I want to instill in them the love of learning. And learning doesn't always happen in the classroom. Learning takes place outside of the classroom and that's what I want to the students to see,” Routten said. 

Teacher Appreciation Week runs May 6-10.