Wilson County Teacher of the Year Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Organizers of the annual Wilson County Teacher of the Year program are excited to announce the tenth anniversary of the special event honoring the county’s educators. Consistent with every year, the banquet consists of a catered dinner followed by the awards ceremony, which is set for April 18, 2008 in Baird Chapel on the campus of Cumberland University.

The teacher of the year program began its development almost thirteen years ago under the direction of W.P. Bone, III, Owner of Wilson County Chevrolet-Buick, and Bob McDonald, President, CedarStone Bank. A focus group was established to develop the criteria for selecting a teacher of the year from each school. Numerous community leaders also played an important role in making the program successful, including leaders from business and government, school principals, school administrators and the Chambers of Commerce from Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and Watertown.

Every school selects its “teacher of the year.” Those twenty-seven Wilson County teachers have been nominated by their peers and will then complete the self-study packets in order to be evaluated by an anonymous panel consisting of Cumberland University faculty members.

“Teachers are special and it is important that they know how valuable they are,” noted W.P. Bone, III. “Leaders throughout the area are on hand during the awards banquet showing their support and gratitude,” said Bone.

“We are very excited about the tenth anniversary of the Teacher of the Year program,” commented Bob McDonald. “The program lasts over a four month period and it is wonderful to see our teachers be recognized and rewarded for their important role and the fine job they do in educating our children,” McDonald concluded.

Past winners of the award meet with those nominees and go over the criteria processing materials which prove to be a great learning experience for all those involved.

Those receiving teacher of the year awards from area schools this year include:

JOELLEN GROOMS
Byars-Dowdy Elementary School

KATHY GALLAGHER
Carroll-Oakland Elementary School

CANDACE DODSON
Castle Heights Upper Elementary School

RENEE HEARN
Coles Ferry Elementary School

SUSAN ESKEW
Friendship Christian School

JOHN ESSLINGER
Gladeville Elementary School

CAROL GHEE
Lakeview Elementary School

MICHELLE HARMON
Lebanon High School

SAM FREEMAN
MAP Academy

JAMIE RICKETTS
McClain Christian Academy

BRENDA YORK
Mt. Juliet Christian Academy

JAMIE COOK
Mt. Juliet Elementary School

CHERI DYKAS
Mt. Juliet High School

JEREMY WILLIS
Mt. Juliet Middle School

LISA CAREY
Rutland Elementary School

JULIE WHITEFIELD
Sam Houston Elementary School

PENNY GREGORY
Southside Elementary School

KATHY MCCABE
Stoner Creek Elementary School

ANNA SUMMERS
Tuckers Crossroads Elementary School

HEATHER LOUNDSBURY
W.A. Wright Elementary School

RON DAVENPORT
Walter J. Baird Middle School

LOU ANNE CHRISTIAN
Watertown Elementary School

TAMMY JEWELL
Watertown High School

KIM CURTIS
West Elementary School

VICKIE WRIGHT
West Wilson Middle School

SHANNON CARNEY
Wilson Central High School

SARAH WARDE
Wilson County Career Technical Center