Nine Finalists Announced for Tennessee Teacher of the Year

Nashville, TN – Finalists for the 2009 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award have been chosen, the Tennessee Department of Education announced today. The nine regional winners are comprised of an elementary, middle and high school educator from each of the three grand divisions of the state. Grand Division Winners and the state Teacher of the Year will be selected from this group.

“The Teacher of the Year program is an annual reminder of the vital role classroom educators play in cultivating confident and successful Tennessee students,” Acting Education Commissioner Tim Webb said. “Only one teacher will represent the state, but it is a time of appreciation for all the education professionals dedicated to enhancing the lives of their students.”

The finalists for 2009 Teacher of the Year are:
• Meera Krishnan - Shelby County Schools (Arlington High)
• Tana Mitchell – Memphis City Schools (Richland Elementary)
• Patricia Royle – Benton County Schools (Camden Jr. High)
• Michael Brown – Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools (Montgomery Central High)
• Stella Campbell – Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools (Byrns-Darden Elementary)
• Emily Staggs – Cheatham County Schools (Sycamore Middle)
• Luajean Bryan – Bradley County Schools (Walker Valley High)
• Betsy Elliott – Sevier County Schools (Boyds Creek Elementary)
• Pam Thomas – Sevier County Schools (Pigeon Forge Primary)

The Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by the Niswonger Foundation. A partner for nearly five years, the foundation provides $21,000 in monetary awards to encourage professional development, graduate study, higher student outcomes and mentoring. As a show of appreciation and encouragement for teacher excellence, the foundation sponsors a banquet each fall for finalists.

The final winner represents Tennessee in the national competition and is an ambassador for education in the state throughout the year. To qualify, candidates must have been teaching full-time for at least five years; have a proven record of using creative, research-based teaching strategies resulting in measurable student results; and be effective school and community leaders. A panel of professional educators from across the state scores applications to identify the finalists.

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.