Z

Tullahoma City Schools recently learned that four district employees received regional honors, including the Superintendent of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, and both Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year semifinalists.

In May, TCS Career Technical Education (CTE) Director Jessie Kinsey was named the South Central Regional Supervisor of the Year. The same month, Robert E. Lee Elementary School Principal Mary Gilbert was named a South Central Regional Principal of the Year Semi-finalist. Last week, Robert E. Lee Elementary School teacher Erin Martin was chosen as a South Central Regional Teacher of the Year Semi-finalist.

These award announcements come after TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens, was selected as the South Central Tennessee Superintendent of the Year this past March. Eight regional finalists are in contention for the Tennessee Superintendent of the Year award, and that honor will be presented at a banquet in the fall.

In November, TCS celebrated all three individuals for winning their district awards, and all advanced to the South Central region competition. In May, Kinsey learned she was the South Central Supervisor of the Year. Kinsey has served as the district’s CTE Director for the last five years, changing to full-time the last three years.

“I am incredibly honored to be named the South Central Region Supervisor of the Year,” Kinsey said. “This recognition is a testament to the outstanding TCS team I work alongside. Their dedication and commitment to the excellence of our students make achievements like this possible. I’m grateful for the support of my colleagues, Dr. Stephens, and the TCS School Board, and I look forward to continuing to serve our students with passion and purpose.”

It was also announced in May that Gilbert had been named a South Central Regional Principal of the Year Semi-Finalist. Gilbert has spent the last six years as principal at Robert E. Lee Elementary School.

“I am truly honored and filled with so many emotions,” Gilbert said. “I am incredibly grateful for this recognition, and more than anything, I just hope to represent our district, school, staff, students, families, and community well. This journey has been so meaningful, and I feel truly blessed to be a part of TCS and to serve alongside such dedicated and inspiring people.”

Last week, Martin was named one of three teachers to be named a South Central Regional Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist. This honor comes after she was named the district’s Elementary School Teacher of the Year in November. Martin has served the last four years as a kindergarten teacher at Robert E. Lee Elementary School.

“It is a surprise and honor to be selected for this recognition,” Martin said. “I love being a teacher in the Tullahoma community. I’ve built some great relationships with coworkers and families, and that connection means a lot to me. One of the best parts of my job is getting to see how much my students learn and grow each year – it’s just really rewarding to be part of that journey.”

“I am absolutely thrilled to celebrate Erin Martin as a South Central Regional Teacher of the Year Semi-finalist,” Gilbert added about Martin. “This recognition is so well-deserved. Erin pours her heart into everything she does as she builds meaningful relationships with her students and creates a classroom culture where every child feels seen, supported and valued. Her teaching goes far beyond the curriculum. We are all so proud of her.”

After receiving their regional awards, Kinsey, Gilbert and Martin advance to the next level of competition. In the Teacher of the Year competition, Martin will find out later this month if she is a Grand Division Teacher of the Year. Announcement of the nine Teacher of the Year finalists, three from each grand division, will be announced later this month by the Tennessee Department of Education. In August, a winner from each Grand Division and the Tennessee Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet in Nashville.

Later this month, one principal from each Region in Tennessee will be selected as a finalist for the state’s Principal of the Year. The Tennessee Department of Education will also announce the nine state finalists for Supervisor of the Year in July. The Tennessee Principal of the Year and the Tennessee Supervisor of the Year will be selected during a combined banquet this fall.

“What an incredible and exciting last few months it has been for Tullahoma City Schools,” Dr. Stephens said. “We are fortunate to have incredible educators and administrators in our district, and these awards further recognize the amazing things happening at Tullahoma City Schools. I am incredibly proud of Jessie Kinsey, Mary Gilbert and Erin Martin. I am eagerly awaiting the results of the next round of competitions to see how each fares in their competitions.”