BMS Teacher Receives Special Honor

Published March 26, 2009

Everyone wants to find their passion in life. For Brentwood Middle School teacher Kristi Thoni, that passion is serving as an advisor to the school's student council. It's something Thoni has done for more than six years now, and she says there's nothing quite like it.

"It’s cool when you find a part of your job that you’re really good at that excites you and that is your passion," says Thoni. "And I am really passionate about developing these leadership skills in kids because it’s so important to their lives.”

And it's that sort of excitement that has earned Thoni some major recognition. In February, she was selected as the Tennessee Middle Level Student Council Advisor of the Year. Thoni will be honored as an exemplary student council advisor at both the Tennessee Association of Student Councils conference in Chattanooga and the National Association of Student Councils conference in Colorado.

“I couldn’t have gotten this award without the hard work of my kids," says Thoni. "I kind of accept this on their behalf."

The Brentwood Middle School student government is made up of nearly a dozen students. Seventh and eighth graders elect a president, vice president and secretary - as well as several class representatives. Sixth grade, because they are relatively new to the school, only elect a president.

In addition to following the by-laws and amendments set forth by their own constitution, the government makes key decisions regarding school dances, fundraisers and class trips. They also recently formed a Teacher Appreciation Committee which, once a month, finds a way to honor every teacher in the school.

"I try to get them to see that they are the voice of the students," says Thoni. "They represent the students in terms of anytime there is anything that needs to be voted on."

And while it can be a lot of work, Thoni says it's rewarding to know her students are learning important leadership skills that can't be taught in the classroom. "Their energy and their excitement is what gets me through it because I just can’t believe how much they do and how much they accomplish."