KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The January meeting of the Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education was a night of celebration as 10 educators were recognized as Teachers of the Year.

“We love celebrating our Teachers of the Year,” TCS Director of Schools Dr. Catherine Stephens said. “We have amazing teachers throughout this district, and tonight is special for this select group.”

She praised this year’s Teachers of the Year are making a difference for their students and their peers who had acknowledged their exceptional work done throughout the year.   

Each year, teachers from each elementary school, middle school and Tullahoma High School were nominated by their peers for the distinction of Teacher of the Year. One at a time, the principals from the seven schools in the district came forward to talk about their school’s Teacher of the Year, and each board member presented the teachers with a certificate and a check. 

Tullahoma High School Teachers of the Year

Kicking off the celebrations was Tullahoma High School (THS) Principal Dr. Greg English, who said TCS is blessed to have its incredible teachers and said it is a nonnegotiable for any teacher is that they must love kids, as kids can tell.

“They can also tell when you truly love them and care about them, and our Teachers of the Year exemplify that standing,” English said.

For Tullahoma High School, the high school has three winners for Teachers of the Year, along with the district High School Teacher of the Year due to the size of the building. English introduced Casey Locklear and read her students comments about Locklear, who praised her for setting a good example to her students and making the learning experience “thoroughly structured but enjoyable.” English said it was an honor to work with Locklear and watch the impact she has on her students and the school, so much so she was being honored later that evening in Winchester by a former student as their most influential teacher.

The next teacher honored by English was Sharon Woodard, who was not able to attend the meeting. English praised Woodard, calling her the backbone of THS, for her continuous efforts in organizing pep rallies, spirit days and homecoming. He said her students praised her commitment to them, sharing a story of from a student how Woodard not only introduced her to one of the clubs at THS, but she helped to buy the student a profession outfit and paid for expenses for the student to participate in a competition.

“That student said ‘I never had a better teacher who cared so much and wanted me to succeed,’” English said. “I am proud to call her my colleague and friend.”

The final THS Teacher of the Year was Christy Allen, who was also named the High School Teacher of the Year for the school district. English said he first met Allen when TVA was first starting and has worked with her since then. He said he experienced something new when he took the reigns as THS principal and there was a transitioning staffing. Allen helped by joining the THS staff, and English said he had a student in office screaming and demanding to be put back in Allen’s class.

“I had never experienced that,” English said. “I think that really says it all as far as who she is and what she brings to us at THS.”

English also praised Allen for trying to understand each of her students and treats them like her own, her ability to make learning enjoyable, encouraging in creativity and providing support for both good and bad students as powerful.

“She is an inspiration to us all and is an endowed resource to students,” English said. “It’s an honor to with you.” 

Elementary school Teachers of the Year

Next was recognizing the four elementary school Teachers of the Year, which each elementary school picked their respective Teacher of the Year. First up was Margaret “Dawn” Kane from East Lincoln Elementary School (ELE). Principal Scott Hargrove said there was no greater complimented for a teacher than being recognized by their peers and he congratulated both Kane and the rest of the teachers that night. Hargrove said Kane has spent her 14-year career at East Lincoln, and shared comments and phrases that her peers used to describe her, which included “dedicated to the profession,” “makes daily investments in her children,” “always learning ways to improve her craft,” “does the little things that make a huge difference,” “kind to everyone,” and “will bend over backward to help you.”

Following was Jack T. Farrar Elementary School’s (JTF) Teacher of the Year Tracy Butner. Using the letters of the word “grit”, Principal Travis Moore describe Butner as a go-getter, rigorous, intentional and tough.

“If I am going to take (teachers) into an educational award I’m going in with her because she’s gonna fight tooth and nail not only for her students, but for her colleagues and Jack T. Farrar and Tullahoma City Schools,” he said.

He also said no one will see a teacher that has a strong relationship and love for their students more than Butner, and said to everyone in attendance that they remember their teachers more than the subjects. He then shared of story of how she helped with taking a student home without hesitation, and congratulated her for being JTF’s Teacher of the Year.

Then Robert E. Lee Elementary School’s (REL) principal Mary Gilbert recognized the school’s Teacher of the Year Jennifer Wofford. Gilbert said she remembered asking Wofford why she wanted to be a teacher and shared that Wofford told her that she wanted to make learning fun, and wanted to create a place for students to be excited to come.

“I knew that as a teacher I would go the extra mile,” Gilbert said as Wofford. “I help my students find success within themselves.”

Gilbert said right after the announcement came out that Wofford was REL’s Teacher of the Year, a parent came to Gilbert and praised Wofford for how she has made school exciting for their child, which made her think about Wofford’s answer to why she wanted to be a teacher. Gilbert also shared some of Wofford’s peers’ description of her, with the common phrases included Wofford’s passion and compassion for her students, helpful and always encouraging. Gilbert congratulated Wofford for being REL’s Teacher of the Year and said she was honored and proud of Wofford representing the school.

Bel-Aire Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year was Dr. Niki Tuten, who was also named the school district’s Elementary School of the Year. Dr. Clint Epley said during Tuten’s time as an educator, she has served in many roles, including assistant principal, taught first through fifth grade, a Section 504 coordinator, a part of the TCS Leadership Internship program and currently serves as Bel-Aire’s Behavior Modification teacher.

“Sometimes when people move around and wonder ‘why is that?’” Epley said. “The reason she moves around because she’s willing to do anything. She cares about our school system, she cares about her kids and she is always willing to do something to gain experience.”

Epley said the character traits he would attribute to Tuten were leadership and a very caring heart, and shared several stories of Tuten showcasing these traits of stepping in and helping students. He shared her peers’ comments and some of the highlights included her great attitude, natural leader, empowers others and so on before congratulating her. 

Middle school and TVA Teachers of the Year

Moving onto the middle school teachers of the year, East Middle School Principal Dr. Woody Dillehay said he saw a first this year as EMS’ Teacher of the Year Rachel Cunningham joined the school in December of the last school year and was named Teacher of the Year shortly after.

“I think Rachel’s peers saw the work that she put in, the effort she gave and I think they rewarded that,” Dillehay said.

He went on to say Cunningham has made an impact at EMS, and serves many roles at the school besides teaching computer science, like help make morning announcements, serving as the athletic director and helps with the schools’ social media.

“She has blended into our school and has made a tremendous, positive impact and we’re just blessed to get to work with you every day,” he said. 

Next was Tullahoma Virtual Academy’s Teacher of the Year Whitney Morris, who was also unable to attend due to other commitments. TVA Principal Dr. Chris Treadway said Morris serves as the physical educator at both TVA and THS, along with being the assistant softball and assistant strength football coach, and is the wellness teacher at TVA. He said while having a connection with students is hard virtually, but Morris was excellent at it as she’s always in communication with her students.

“It’s an honor to be here with you tonight to recognize Coach Whitney Morris as the TVA Teacher of the Year,” Treadway said.

West Middle School Principal Cindy Herrera said she and WMS’ Teacher of the Year Franklin Cammack, also named the Middle School Teacher of the Year, were in the same area of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and recalled seeing several kids around at conferences and how engaged he was with all of them. Following the sentiment from the other principals, she said all the teachers of the year have to love and care for their students and Cammack shows it in his actions then and today. Herrera said Cammack other hobby interests, like entertainment, music and sports, which helps with connecting with his students. Herrera added whenever there wasn’t a time when she’s gone to Cammack for help and jumped right in and helped, and praised for his leadership he has shown, as well as highlighting the TCS’ FBLA success, including the district’s first-ever National Champion.

“Our mission statement ‘challenging students today for a limitless tomorrow’ that’s what he is doing,” Herrera said. “He does it every single day. I am very thankful that Franklin’s home is West Middle School.”

Stephens said it is a teacher that makes a life altering impact on the students they serve and the teachers honored as the teachers of the year reflected that. She added that the three school district Teachers of the Year were not only were the school level Teachers of the Year, but they were also a district-level Teachers of the Year, which meant they will move forward in the Tennessee Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year South Central region competition.