A kindergarten teacher at Smithville Elementary School was named ” DeKalb County Teacher of the Year” and received the “John Isabell Memorial Award” Tuesday night during the eighth annual Teacher of the Year banquet at the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church.
The award was presented to Tanya Howard by Interim Director of Schools Dr. Danielle Collins.
Howard was among five local educators who were recognized during the banquet for being chosen by peers as “Teacher of the Year” at their schools. The others were Jennifer Griffith, a third grade math, science, and social studies teacher at Northside Elementary School; Lori Pryor a third grade self-contained teacher at DeKalb West School; Tad Webb a seventh grade math teacher at DeKalb Middle School; and Sonja House a ninth grade English/10th-12th grade Theatre Arts teacher at DeKalb County High School.
The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program is designed to promote recognition, respect and appreciation for teachers; to stimulate interest in teaching as a career; and to encourage public involvement in education.
Principals introduced the Teachers of the Year at their schools, remarked on how they deserved the honor, and presented them with a school bell award.
Local community leader Steve Officer served as guest speaker for the banquet.
Roy Nelson Pugh of Liberty State Bank, a sponsor of the banquet, was also an honored guest. School board members attending were Chairman W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, Danny Parkerson, and Doug Stephens.
The DeKalb County Teacher of the Year Award is now named for John Isabell, a long time educator and former President of the DeKalb County Education Association, who passed away last year after suffering from cancer.
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