NASHVILLE, Tenn.– Nine Tennessee teachers were honored as outstanding professionals in their field and one was named Tennessee's Teacher of the Year on Thursday night.
Teachers give back every day in the classroom, all in efforts to better prepare our students for the future. Nine exceptional teachers were honored as finalists for the 2012 Tennessee Teachers of the Year competition.
Finalists from the mid-state included Jennifer Magnusson, a fourth grade teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary in Cumberland County, Alison Payne, a fifth grade teacher at Bradley Academy in Murfreesboro and Mark Baker from Brentwood High School in Williamson County.
2012 Tennessee Teacher of the Year was awarded to Bryon Booker a teacher in Knox County. Booker will go on to compete for the title of National Teacher of Year.
Governor Haslam and first lady Chrissy Haslam were on hand to help celebrate the teachers' success.
"With everything we are doing, the changes around education, I want you to hear it from my own lips that I'm grateful for the fact that you committed your own life to education and for excellence that is being rewarded tonight," said Governor Haslam.
Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Education was created to promote recognition, respect and appreciation for teachers and to encourage public involvement in education.
The nine finalists for Tennessee Teachers of the Year were:
- Carol Stafford--- Altruria Elementary, Shelby County
- Brittan Sutherland---Martin Elementary, Weakley County
- Ann Turner Johnson--Munford High, Tipton County
- Jennifer Magnusson--Pleasant Hill Elementary, Cumberland County
- Alison Payne---Bradley Academy, Murfreesboro City
- Mark Baker---Brentwood High School, Williamson County
- Delores Moore---John Hay Elementary, Hamblen County
- Robin Epps---Lincoln Heights Middle, Hamblen County
- Bryon Booker---Knox Central High, Knox County
