JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
School teachers, faculty, board members and principals alike gathered together in celebration for this year’s nominees of Teacher of the Year at Western Sizzlin in Jasper.
This year’s banquet was filled with school staff and faculty from across all main schools in Marion County, including the leading chairmen and staff members of the Board of Education. Sandy Ireland, among one of the staff attending, explained the yearly banquet is held not only in Marion County but across the state, all teachers awarded competing for a spot within the state’s Teacher of the Year Conference. The Teacher of the Year awardee within Tennessee would then represent the greater National Teacher of the Year competition, one of this year’s awardees being Ashely Mosley of Jasper Elementary School, who became one of three finalists representing the state.
Marion County’s banquet was a time of recognition for all nominated teachers specific to the county, and the work in which they conducted during the school year. Director of Marion County Schools Dr. Mark Griffith took to the crowd to express appreciation on behalf of the board all the teacher’s hard work throughout the year, acknowledging them as the backbone of the county’s school system.
“You all are truly the backbone of what our system is all about,” said Griffith.
Eight teachers from across all county schools were recognized and presented with awards. The teachers were recognized in order from the elementary schools all the way to high school. The first teacher recognized was Sarah Jones of Jasper Elementary, followed by Lisa Godwin of South Pittsburg Elementary, Sherry Thomas of Whitwell Elementary, and Natasha Clark of Monteagle Elementary. For the middle schools, Connie Lawson of Jasper Middle was recognized during the banquet alongside Renee Miller of Whitwell Middle School. For the high schools, Kelly McElhiney of Marion County High School was recognized for her work, in addition to Kylie Taylor of South Pittsburg High and Kendele Daniel of Whitwell High. All teachers introduced were recognized by each school principal for the roles in which play, and the time and dedication that the teachers have placed within their roles as educators.
During the event, Griffth also named the three winners of Marion County’s District Teacher of the Year who would represent District 12’s education system. The teachers named were Natasha Clark, Lisa Godwin, and Kelly McElhiney.
Griffith concluded this year’s banquet with words of congratulations to those awarded, expressing further appreciation for each teacher’s services to the community.
“We appreciate you very much and the hard work that you do,” said Griffith.