Lawmakers and former Teacher of the Year give mixed reactions to new voucher legislation
There have been some mixed reactions to Tennessee lawmakers’ efforts to reintroduce school choice legislation for vouchers that allow public tax dollars to be used for private school enrollment.
Kingsport City Schools math teacher Bryan Kerns is this year’s Tennessee Teacher of the Year
Bryan Kerns, a math and fire management instructor from Kingsport City Schools, has been named the 2024-25 Tennessee Teacher of the Year. Kerns will represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Five Things to Know About Missy Testerman, the 2024 National Teacher of the Year
Missy Testerman has enjoyed a teaching career that is decades longer than most, spending more than 30 years in first- and second-grade classrooms.But when she saw that her K-8 school district in rural Appalachia was quietly becoming a refuge for families from Mexico, Central America and Asia, she shifted gears and became an English as a second language teacher, pushing to smooth her students’ — and their families’ — transition to life in the U.S.
Rogersville City teacher named 2024 National Teacher of the Year
For the first time in 35 years, a Tennessee teacher is the National Teacher of the Year.The Council of Chief State School Officers awarded Rogersville City Schools K-8 English as a second language (ESL) teacher Missy Testerman the honor, recognizing her dedication to students and community. She’ll spend the next year serving as an ambassador and advocate for teachers and students across the nation.
Rogersville Elementary School Teacher is Tennessee’s Teacher of the Year
The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) announced Rogersville City School’s Melissa “Missy” Testerman as Tennessee’s 2023-24 teacher of the year Friday evening.Testerman is an English as a second language instructor at Rogersville Elementary School who additionally serves as a mentor for new teachers and has been a teacher for 31 years. She’s also the president of the Rogersville Education Association, serves as the summer camp coordinator for the district, participates in the nonprofit Readers Are Leaders which helps at-risk readers, and serves on committees and boards throughout the district.