WCS Teachers of the Year

Published February 18, 2010

Williamson County Schools honored the 2009-2010 Teachers of the Year February 11 at a special ceremony in Franklin. Each school selected a building-level teacher of the year, with each educator receiving a certificate at the event. Then the top teachers from the elementary, middle, and high school levels were honored.

This year's elementary level Teacher of the Year is Edmondson Elementary School first grade teacher Nicole Smith. Smith says the best thing about being an educator is that she's able to make a difference in the lives of her students.
"I am so blessed to be able to teach first graders," said Smith. "Every minute of every day they are learning something new and it's amazing to know that I have a part in that."

Page Middle School teacher Julie Martin-Walker was chosen as the middle school level Teacher of the Year. She teaches sixth grade science and says she has always had a passion for teaching.

"I love my job," said Martin-Walker, "and to be recognized in such a manner is beyond words. But I couldn't have done it by myself. My colleagues and administrators have always been there to support me in my endeavors."

The high school level Teacher of the Year is Franklin High School teacher Betsy Taylor. Taylor teaches French at Franklin High and says this is an award she was not expecting to win.

"It was kind of surprising," said Taylor. "It's very humbling to be chosen among such stellar colleagues and professionals."

Congratulations to all of the 2009-2010 Williamson County Schools' Teachers of the Year.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Lisa McCullough
Bethesda

Trish Fowler
Chapman's Retreat

Vickie Brake
College Grove

Judy Zimmerman
Crockett

Nicole Smith
Edmondson

Brenda Hardison
Fairview

Pat Gordon
Grassland

Pam Fielder
Heritage

Meredith Chunn
Hillsboro

Celeste Grider
Hunters Bend

Debra Neal
Kenrose

Jessica Knapple
Lipscomb

Chris Lafferty
Longview

Julie Alexander
Nolensville

Kim Hudson
Oak View

Deborah Key
Pinewood

Tina Tidwell
Scales

Alyson Hennecke
Sunset

Jennifer Kibbey
Trinity

Diane Hartley
Walnut Grove

Paula Childers
Westwood

Kelli Myers
Winstead

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS

Rebecca Niles
Brentwood

Michelle Vinci
Fairview

Amanda Boone
Grassland

Amanda Potts
Heritage

Diane Blackwell
Hillsboro

Julie Martin-Walker
Page

Mandy Genovese
Sunset Middle

Jenny Wilkes Petron
Woodland

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

Susan Mounts
Brentwood

Felicia Barber
Centennial

Mike Allen
Fairview

Betsy Taylor
Franklin

Kimberly Peters
Independence

Earl Santymire
Middle College

Catherine Sniderman
Page

Laura Kessell
Ravenwood