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Bel-Aire Elementary School teacher Dr. Niki Tuten has been named one of nine finalists for the 2024 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award from the Tennessee Department of Education.

“There are so many outstanding educators across the state of Tennessee and even right here in Tullahoma,” Dr. Tuten said. “To be recognized as one of the top nine for this school year is a true honor. I am excited to have the opportunity to continue to represent Tullahoma City Schools in the final round of the Tennessee Teacher of the Year competition. The support from within our school system during this process has been amazing.”

The nine finalists represent each of Tennessee’s eight Center of Regional Excellence (CORE) areas and the Shelby County Municipal area. The 2024-25 Tennessee Teacher of the Year, and three winners for each grand division, will be selected from this group and announced during the 65th Anniversary of the Tennessee Teacher of the Year celebration this August.  

In her role at Bel-Aire, Dr. Tuten serves as a behavior instructor, teaching reading and math while aiding with social-emotional support and learning. In November, TCS announced that Dr. Tuten had been named the District’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. With that award, she moved forward to the regional competition, where she was selected as a regional Teacher of the Year semifinalist before being named a finalist for Teacher of the Year on Tuesday.

“I love being a teacher because I have the opportunity to play an important role in laying the foundation in a child’s life in many ways, socially, emotionally, and academically,” Dr. Tuten said. “As teachers, we teach life-long skills needed to be successful in life, such as reading, controlling emotions, learning to problem solve, learning to share, math, teamwork and so much more. Being a teacher is important as we mold the future one student at a time. Knowing that I play a part in building a holistic foundation for students that will last a lifetime gives me purpose.”

Joining Dr. Tuten on the list of finalists for Teacher of the Year are: Jenny Kiesel (Lakeland Schools); Ellie Lee (Rutherford County Schools); Kylene Raper (Athens City Schools); Lee Lynn Campbell (Hardeman County Schools); Natalee Elkins (Knox County Schools); Sherri Brawner (Weakley County Schools); Kaity Castleman (Warren County Schools) and Bryan Kerns (Kingsport City Schools).

The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Finalists will have the opportunity to serve on the department’s Tennessee Teacher Advisory Council for the duration of the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. The council is composed of expert teachers who engage with the department and other state agencies throughout the academic year. 

The 2024-25 Tennessee Teacher of the Year will represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year competition and serve as an ambassador for education in the state throughout the 2024-25 school year. To qualify, candidates must have been teaching full-time for at least three years, have a track record of exceptional gains in student learning, and be effective school and community leaders.

“I am over the moon, and I am thrilled that Dr. Tuten has been named one of the premier teachers across the state,” said TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens. “We are fortunate to have some incredible teachers and educators throughout Tullahoma City Schools, and Niki is the perfect representative for our district. She will next go through an interview process later this month, and I am eagerly awaiting the results. No matter the outcome of this competition, we certainly have a winner in Dr. Tuten.”

For more about the Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award, visit the Tennessee Department of Education’s website here.