The DeKalb County School District has announced each of the five area schools’ Teacher of the Year. Each teacher is nominated and voted upon by their peers, with all nominees presenting exemplary performance with a minimum three years of experience.

Smithville Elementary School’s teacher of the year is kindergarten teacher, Cristy Spears, while Northside Elementary School’s 5th grade math and science teacher, Sarah Story, was named. Amanda Mullinax, library and media specialist was honored at DeKalb West School, while Teresa Jones, a seventh grade math teacher was named at DeKalb Middle School. Gary Caplinger, a CTE residential and commercial construction teacher at DeKalb County High School was named Teacher of the Year at DCHS.

School officials say that Mullinax has completed 20 years of teaching, Jones 19 years, Spears and Storey have completed 4 years, and Caplinger is completing his 10th year as an educator.

One teacher will be chosen by a committee to receive the John Isabell District Teacher of the Year Award, and will represent our district in the regional competition. 

“Our district’s Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding teachers in DeKalb County. We applaud teachers who care about our children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of DeKalb students, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement. We are not just exceptionally proud of our Teachers of the Year, but we are also grateful for all of our educators in DeKalb County,” said School Director Patrick Cripps.

Michelle Burklow, Supervisor of Instruction, said “Competition for the district-wide John Isabell Teacher of the Year award continues through February, and will be announced this spring. Additionally, three DeKalb County teachers will be chosen by a committee to compete at the regional level in March, and if selected they will represent DeKalb County at the state level competition.”

Teachers of the Year are selected competitively through five cycles: Building, System, Field Service Core Center Region, Grand Division and State; and from three categories (levels of teaching); Grades Pre K-4, 5-8, 9-12.

Teachers selected at each cycle receive local recognition and awards underwritten by local sources. State recognition/awards include a banquet honoring the nine State Teacher of the Year finalists and certificates of appreciation from the governor. In addition, the State Finalists and the State Teacher of the Year receive cash awards.

Dr. Kathy Bryant, Supervisor of Instruction, concluded by saying, “The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program is designed to promote effective teaching practices by recognizing and rewarding outstanding teachers while encouraging others to join the teaching profession.”