(Murfreesboro)  The Rutherford County School System has announced its 2020-21 teachers of the year.  Wendy Walker is the three districtwide Teachers of the Year. Dr. Thurman Tucker represents  middle schools and Dr. Emily Hines is there for the high schools.

Wendy Walker (District Wide Teacher of the Year)

Their paths to Rutherford County Schools are as diverse as their personalities and interests, yet Wendy Walker captured the common attraction of this year’s three districtwide Teachers of the Year to a career in education: “It sounds hokey, but it was a calling.” Walker, a math interventionist at Smyrna Elementary, is this year’s elementary level Teacher of the Year.

“I tried to go into a different field all together,” said Walker, a math interventionist, who has taught in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, “but I kept being called back into it. Once I started, it became clear that this is what I was meant to do.” She added, “Now, I cannot imagine doing anything else.”

Dr. Thurman Tucker (Middle School)

Dr. Thurman Tucker represents the middle schools. Tucker, who authored the book “Powerful Co-Teaching: Special Education and General Education,” is a special education teacher at LaVergne Middle.

Tucker, who previously received several awards including being honored by then Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam in 2013 with a senate joint resolution letter, got into teaching “to help children understand the importance of educating themselves, so they understand their duty to make our society a better place to live in.”

Dr. Emily Hines (High School)

Dr. Emily Hines will represent the high schools.  Hines has taught computer science since 2018 at Central Magnet School after teaching mathematics since fall 2010. She was admitted to the Aspiring Leaders Academy in 2019.

Hines grew up attending a small rural school from kindergarten through high school. She said it was like a second home and her teachers always encouraged to do her best. She credits them with her effort to get accepted to Vanderbilt University.

“I wanted to be like my teachers,” Hines said, “someone who could make such a difference in a person’s life that it changes their trajectory.”

Teachers of the Year

The following is a complete list of Teachers of the Year for all 49 schools. Each of these educators will be individually recognized and celebrated as part of a Twitter campaign throughout the months of February and March. NOTE: District-level Teacher of the Year for elementary, middle and high school are in RED bold.

·         Mary Beth Scango, Barfield Elementary

·         Felicia Thompson, Blackman Elementary

·         Geneva Cook, Blackman High

·         Ali Humphrey, Blackman Middle

·         Megan Maguigan, Brown’s Chapel Elementary

·         Ashley Simmons, Buchanan Elementary

·          Aleck Pitner, Cedar Grove Elementary

·         Dr. Emily Hines, Central Magnet

·         Stefanie Edgell, Christiana Elementary

·         Stephanie Jones, Christiana Middle

·         Theresa Canada, Daniel McKee

·         Tara Tyus, David Youree Elementary

·         Leslie Trail, Eagleville School

·         Jessica Knight, Holloway High

·         Jillaine McHenry, H.P. Campus School

·         Kelli Cessac, John Colemon Elementary

·         Crystal Gay, Kittrell Elementary

·         Angel Hollandsworth, Lascassas Elementary

·         Erin Alverado, LaVergne High

·         Rachel Gaither, LaVergne Lake

·         Dr. Thurman Tucker, LaVergne Middle

·         Donna Haley, McFadden School of Excellence

·         Kevin Carroll, Oakland High

·         Jonathan Jordan, Oakland Middle

·         Amanda Jones, Riverdale High

·         Holly Pearson, Rock Springs Elementary

·         Lacey Burgess, Rock Springs Middle

·         Jonelda McCall, Rockvale Elementary

·         David Matikke, Rockvale High

·         Toni Salmon, Rockvale Middle

·         Stacey Martin, Rocky Fork Elementary

·         Logan Tubb, Rocky Fork Middle

·         Brittany King, Roy Waldron Elementary

·         Annie Williams, Rutherford County Virtual School

·         David Picklesimer, Siegel High

·         Culley Phillips, Siegel Middle

·         Wendy Walker, Smyrna Elementary

·         Kimberly Clemons, Smyrna High

·         Lindsey Mears, Smyrna Middle

·         Amber Janes, Smyrna Primary

·         Matthew Alan Joines, Smyrna West

·         Kathryn O’Neal, Stewarts Creek Elementary

·         Alina Tompkins, Stewarts Creek High

·         Anna Marguerite Duncan, Stewarts Creek Middle

·         Debra Marshall, Stewartsboro Elementary

·         Emily Hartley, Thurman Francis School of the Arts

·         Amber Layhew, Walter Hill Elementary

·         Darla Massey, Whitworth-Buchanan Middle

·         LaTasha Anderson, Wilson Elementary

To see the Rutherford County School’s video gallery CLICK HERE