We are so proud of these nine finalists!
Check out nine teachers working relentlessly for student achievement. They represent thousands of amazing educators across the state!
Christopher Bowen
Christopher Bowen, Johnson City
8th grade science, Liberty Bell Middle School
In this amazing profession, I can honestly say that going to work every morning excites me more than anything else I have ever done. I consider my greatest contribution to my profession to be my ability to use best practices to provide electrifying lessons while revealing the relevancy of science in my students’ daily lives.
Melissa McClure
Melissa McClure, Giles County
9th-12th grade Special Education, Richland High School
I did not choose to become a teacher in order to be a hero; I chose teaching as my profession because of my teachers- my heroes. My teachers saved my life- not by physical life-saving acts- but they inspired me to choose a career that gave meaning to my life.
Melissa Collins
Melissa Collins, Memphis
2nd grade, John P. Freeman Optional School
I love teaching. It is something that is woven into the strands of my DNA. I work hard on a daily basis to build positive relationships with my students that will last a lifetime.
Laurie Mauldin, Williamson County
Laurie Mauldin
10th-12th grade Personal Finance, Page High School
My mission is to meet children where they are emotionally and cognitively, appreciating their differences and loving and teaching them for who they are. Taking time to learn my students’ hopes and dreams leads to their willingness to learn and grown with me.
Kay Hart
Kay Hart, Henderson County
11th-12th grade drama, Scotts Hill High School
The treasured moments of watching one’s students understand a difficult concept is priceless. Simple sentences that many people might never notice are like gold nuggets to teachers.
Wanda Lacy, Knox County
Wanda Lacey
10th-12th grade AP Calculus, Farragut High School
I have the opportunity to be a positive influence in the life of every student who enters my classroom. This was one of the reasons that I became a teacher. I motivate my students with a rigorous and challenging curriculum, so that they will be prepared for mathematical applications in various courses of study at any university they may attend.
Judy Schinbeckler
Judy Schinbeckler, Putnam County
Personal Finance, VITAL High School
Love the subject matter. Love the kids. Connect the two dots. It sounds like a simple philosophy of teaching, but it is anything but simple. One of the first things a teacher learns while in the classroom is that all students are not the same, and connecting the dots is not a straight line. In order to help each student reach his or her potential, I believe you have to know your students.
Christy Duncan
Christy Duncan, Cleveland City
K-5th ELL, Mayfield Elementary
Every child should enjoy learning. I want my classroom to be a place that students love and look forward to coming back to. I believe that if I am not enjoying a lesson, then my students probably aren’t enjoying it either.
Anne Moore
Anne Moore, Weakley County
10th-12th grade English, Dresden High School
My greatest accomplishments, the ones I value the most, are grown and have children of their own. They are in their last year of college, entering technical school, in a certification program, getting behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer, welding tomorrow’s bridges, nursing our elderly, and growing the food we put on the table tonight. My greatest accomplishments and contributions are my students-the one who have graduated, are graduating soon, or are new to my class this year.
Congratulations to all the nominees!