The Tennessee Teacher of the Year program is designed to promote recognition, respect and appreciation for outstanding teachers in Tennessee, to stimulate interest in teaching as a career, and to encourage public involvement in education. Each year, the Tennessee Department of Education applauds teachers who care about children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of Tennessee students, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement.
Each district in the state may submit nominee(s) for the state-level award. As part of this process, we seek teacher candidates from each school in the district. Oak Ridge Schools would like to congratulate the school-level winners nominated by their principals and peers for the 2020-2021 application. The biographies of the teachers below are written largely in their own words to provide a window into each candidate’s authenticity and commitment to our students.
Oak Ridge Schools Preschool: Principal, Lisa Downard; Teacher of the Year, Kelly Tate
Ms. Tate creates an environment that is welcoming, facilitates learning, collaboration, appreciation, and self-efficacy. For the children in her class, the preschool experience sets the precedent for all future learning. Because there are a wide range of ages and abilities in her classroom, Ms. Tate offers universal supports including visual aids that help children independently utilize the classroom materials and help them feel independent and competent. Kelly encourages and allows all children to utilize these supports if they wish, and notes that most do! She believes it helps children understand that people learn and develop in different ways, and it creates an environment where everyone is viewed as equal. This helps establish a sense of community where children view each other not by what they cannot do, but by what they can do, and what makes each of them unique. Ms. Tate also focuses on social emotional competency, noting that young children often have had few experiences in group social situations and can thus react to conflicts with strong emotions that must be acknowledged and supported. Children are taught empowering calming and conflict resolution strategies. She believes it is precisely this feeling of empowerment that helps children develop a sense of self-worth and respect for others.
Glenwood Elementary: Principal, Ginny Boles; Teacher of the Year, Trudy Cartagena
Ms. Cartagena believes that building relationships is the key to any successful classroom. Her students know that every day they walk into the classroom they are cared for, respected, and loved. Part of building those relationships starts with a hug, fist bump, high five, or handshake in the morning, and ends the same way. Along with building those relationships, Ms. Cartagena emphasizes the importance of a structured classroom management system where all students feel safe and have clear expectations. Trudy makes a point to communicate with both students and parents, through phone calls, e-mails, a classroom app, and parent conferences. She notes that keeping an open line of communication allows parents to stay informed about their child’s progress, holds the student (and parent) accountable, and creates a team-like relationship between the teacher and parent. Read-aloud and novel studies, as well as small group instruction for math are key components in the classroom that help Ms. Cartagena’s students grow academically. She credits mentor teachers with whom she has worked over the past 7 years, whose teaching practices have helped her become the best teacher she can be for her students.