TEACHERS OF THE YEAR-During Teacher Appreciation Month, local teachers were recognized for their efforts, including James Franklin (above), who was honored as Clay County High School’s Teacher of the Year at the Class of 2024’s graduation and is pictured with principal Mike Dickerson, and Jennifer Hayes and Makayla Hollingsworth (below), who were named Technology Teachers of the Year at Hermitage Springs School. (Photos courtesy Facebook.com/cchsdawgs and Facebook.com/HSSWildcats)

CLAY COUNTY-Throughout the month of May, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) encouraged Tennesseans here and across the state to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Month, Week, and Day, proclaimed by Governor Bill Lee.

During Teacher Appreciation Week, local schools celebrated their most-prized employees by showering them with gifts, food, recognition, and more.

Three local educators also received special honors during Teacher Appreciation Month.

James Franklin was named Clay County High School’s Teacher of the Year at the Class of 2024 graduation, and both Jennifer Hayes and Makayla Hollingsworth were named Technology Teachers of the Year at Hermitage Springs School.

Additionally, to continue the effort to recognize educators throughout the year, TDOE launched the ‘Year of Tennessee Teachers’ campaign, highlighting teachers for shaping the minds of the over one million K-12 students across the state to ensure they have access to a high-quality education and are successful in the classroom, workforce, and life.

The ‘Year of Tennessee Teachers’ campaign will spotlight and recognize teachers who have been nominated by their peers and are going above and beyond the call of duty, wearing many hats, to meet and support the needs of all students.

Teachers from all areas of Tennessee will be featured on the department’s social media channels to further celebrate the important work they are doing in their classrooms, districts, and communities.  

“Teachers have a significant impact on their students, mentoring and leading them to success in and outside of the classroom,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “I want to personally thank all Tennessee teachers for their daily passion and dedication to helping their students learn and be all they can be.”  

The department also promoted Teacher Appreciation Month on their social media channels, highlighting Teacher Appreciation Week earlier this month, and Teacher Appreciation Day on May 7.

Tennesseans were asked to join the conversation and share why they love their current or previous teacher(s) on social media using #TNSupportsTeachers. Furthermore, current Tennessee teachers were encouraged to share why they love teaching using #WhyTeachTN.

This legislative session, Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly continued their steadfast support of Tennessee teachers by providing an additional $125 million for teacher pay raises. This investment supports the state’s commitment to increase the minimum starting teacher salary to $50,000 by 2027.