Hamilton County schools announce Teachers of the Year

Three local teachers have been chosen as Hamilton County's 2013 Teachers of the Year. 

The teachers and their principals will be recognized at a luncheon at the Broad Street Grille at The Chattanoogan on Friday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Phyllis Copeland from Barger Academy of Fine Arts, Lorrie Holland from Loftis Middle School and Neshawn Calloway from the Center for Creative Arts are the educators receiving the honors. Currently, all three teachers are competing at the regional level.

 “It is very special when we honor outstanding teachers for their dedication to our students," said Stacey Roddy, director of elementary math and science, who coordinates the awards, said in a prepared statement. "The greatest asset any school system can have is outstanding teachers. We know from research that teacher effectiveness is directly related to improving student achievement. These three teachers have dedicated themselves to the success of their students, and they deserve this recognition and so much more.”

 Below are highlights of the Teachers of the Year. 

Phyllis Copeland, kindergarten teacher at Barger Academy of Fine Arts, K-4 Division

—38 years of teaching experience

—Eight years of teaching experience in Tennessee public schools

—Bachelor of science degree in education from Georgia College

—Master of science degree in education from West Georgia College

—Supervised many student teachers

—Grade-level leader/team leader

—SAC committee member

—Presenter for workshops

—Board of directors for Nourishing Children in Catoosa County

—Allied Arts recipient, 2011

—Graysville Elementary Teacher of the Year, 1984 and 2005

—Golden Apple Award, 2005

—Barger Academy of Fine Arts Teacher of the Year, 2013

 “My greatest contribution in education is that I have seen many of my students become productive citizens,” Copeland said in a prepared statement. “Teaching is such a rewarding experience for me. I have taught long enough now that I have had a hand in creating some doctors, lawyers, nurses, skilled craftsmen, teachers, business owners and good citizens. Education is not only the mental and academic growth of a student but also the social and emotional development of the whole individual. I always strive to encourage my students to become good citizens, to care about others and to be responsible for their own actions.”

Barger Academy Principal Gregory Bagby wrote in his letter of recommendation that “Phyllis is the type of teacher every administrator desires to have in his building. She shows her love for the students through the way she cares for them the moment they enter her room. Phyllis continually meets the students at their point of need and works to help them reach their potential.”

Lorrie Holland, sixth-grade math teacher at Loftis Middle School, 5-8 Division

—25 years of teaching experience

—25 years of teaching experience in Tennessee public schools

—Bachelor of science degree in elementary education from UTC

—Master of arts degree in education from Tusculum College

—Presenter for several workshops

—Cooperative teacher for many student teachers and PDS students

—Member of National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

—Teacher of an adult Sunday school class

—Received three Junior League grants

—Osborne Fellow Initiative partner

—Recognized by Public Education Foundation as Highly Effective Teacher, 2002

—NewsChannel 9 Teacher of the Week, 2011

 “I believe that each and every child has the ability to learn, and it is my responsibility to help them reach their potential,” Holland said in a prepared statement. “I want to help them to develop the love and excitement for learning. I try to provide a safe environment for my students, where making a mistake is not only OK but an opportunity to learn. Watching a student experience an aha moment and see the light bulb in their head go on is exciting.”

Loftis Middle School Principal Brent Eller wrote in his letter of recommendation that “Mrs. Holland has been instrumental in the success of our school. She is proactive in regards to student learning. Her students continue to achieve high levels of proficiency each year. Through her community involvement, she has been able to help, lead and model the values that she teaches in her classroom to her students. It is evident that she lives out the same values and expectations that she teaches her students.”

Neshawn Calloway, vocal music teacher at the Center for Creative Arts, 9-12 Division

—17 years of teaching experience

—12 years of teaching experience in Tennessee public schools

—Bachelor in music education degree from Memphis State University

—Master in music education degree from UTC

—Member of National Association of Music Educators

—Co-chair for the Chattanooga chapter of Academic, Cultural, Technological Science Olympics, sponsored by the NAACP

—Former assistant director of the Chattanooga Choral Society

—President of East Tennessee Vocal Association, 2006-08

—Founded and directed the Chattanooga Youth Chorale for area high school students, 2005-11

—National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts teacher recognition, 2004-05

—Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts Outstanding Teacher Award, 2004 and 2008

“As a teacher, it is my job to find the best in all of the students I encounter, to meet them at their level and push them and encourage them to excel,” Calloway said in a prepared statement. “Everyone deserves to be in the spotlight, and I try to let all of my students have their moment in the spotlight. I care about all areas of my students’ lives. When students are involved in activities outside of my class, I do my best to be in attendance at these events to show my support. If students are struggling with their academic classes, I pull them aside and talk to them and work to help them come up with ideas that can help improve their grades.”

Center for Creative Arts Principal Debbie Smith wrote in her letter of recommendation that “Neshawn infuses her classroom with an array of music that allows the stories of our culture as well as our history to be told through songs. Her classroom is a place where all visitors gravitate to, and her students thrive on her master teaching. Our choirs are recognized across the state for their talent as vocalists. The All East [Choir] Festival, as well as the JB Lyle [Choral] Competition, has featured our students as a result of Neshawn’s guidance. She is a master teacher and a teacher leader at Center for Creative Arts, as well as within the Chattanooga community.”