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Director of schools announces 2017 Teachers of the Year
Jeanna C
CAPLINGER

 

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has announced the 2017 Teachers of the Year at the five individual schools in the county today (Tuesday).

 

The TOY at DeKalb County High School for 2017 is Todd Cantrell. Cantrell is in his eighth year of teaching Career Technical Principles of Machining I and II and Manufacturing.

 

The TOY at DeKalb Middle School this year is Jenny Elrod. Elrod is in her tenth year of teaching Reading/Language Arts at DMS. 

 

Jessica Hale is the 2017 TOY at Northside Elementary School. Hale teaches second grade, and is in her tenth year of teaching.

 

The Smithville Elementary School TOY for 2017 is Whitney Brelje. Brelje teaches first grade, and is in her fourth year of teaching.

 

The TOY at DeKalb West School this year is Jeanna Caplinger. Caplinger teaches Math and Science for the fifth grade, and is in her 23rd year of teaching

 

Cripps said that the teachers chosen for the honor had shown exemplary performance in teaching the children of DeKalb County.

 

“The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding teachers in Tennessee,’ the director shared. “We applaud teachers who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of Tennessee children and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement, while encourage a sense of professionalism and connection with their fellow teachers and community.

 

The Teacher of the Year winner for the entire school-system will be revealed at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet this spring, and three teachers will be selected by a committee to compete at the regional level in March. If chosen they will then represent DeKalb County at the state level. The Tennessee Teacher of the Year represents Tennessee at the National Teacher of the Year competition.

 

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. 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.