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Teachers of the Year "Spotlight on the Schools"

Teachers of the Year featured in "Spotlight on the Schools"
Posted on 01/23/2025

Scott County's Teachers of the Year featured in "Spotlight on the Schools" article in the January 23, 2025, E-Edition of The Independent Herald on pages 22 and 23.

The Scott County School District recently recognized building-level and district-level Teachers of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year. The goal of the Tennessee Teacher of the Year program is to recognize and celebrate excellent teachers across the state. These teachers prioritize the needs of all children and devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of their students.

To be considered for the awards, candidates must be a full-time certified teacher, spend the majority of their day in direct instruction to students, have a minimum of three years of experience as a teacher in Tennessee, and have a track record of exceptional gains in student learning. Each building-level Teacher of the Year is nominated and chosen based on these criteria and then advances to the district-level selection. At the district-level, candidates receive a questionnaire about their professional accomplishments and educational philosophy, among other things. District-level teachers of the year have the opportunity to advance to the region, grand division, and state in three different grade bands: elementary, middle, and high school. The Tennessee Teacher of the Year represents Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year Selection process, which is sponsored by the Council of Chief of State School Officers.

Building-level Teachers of the Year in the Scott County Schools

Elementary (pre K-4) category are Jacob Storey (Burchfield, 4th grade math), McKayla Miller (Fairview, kindergarten), Andrea Kries (Huntsville, kindergarten), Toni Lane (Robbins, 2nd grade), and Tristin Rector (Winfield, 2nd grade)

Middle School (5-8) category are Grant Marcum (Burchfield, 8th grade social studies/ELA), Claudia Baird (Fairview, 4th/5th science/social studies), Brooke West (Huntsville, 5th/6th social studies), Elizabeth Carroll (Robbins, 5th/6th ELA), and Darby Laxton (Winfield, 5th-8th social studies/science).

High School (9-12) level is Scott High School teacher Keisha Bass (11thgrade ELA, ELA Honors 11, English 12).


District-level Teachers of the Year

District-level teachers of the year  

Andrea Kries, Elementary (pre K-4) Andrea Kries is a kindergarten teacher at HES. This is her 12th year teaching, and all of those years have been spent in the Scott County School System. She and her husband, Keith, live in Pioneer and have two children, Kailynn and Karter. When she’s not teaching, she loves to spend time with her friends and family.

“I love teaching kindergarten. One of my favorite things is the amazing growth the students make during the year and how eager they are to learn. I believe every child who enters my classroom is capable of learning. It’s my responsibility to create a positive learning environment where they feel safe while also making the lessons engaging and fun.”

Elizabeth Carroll, 5th and 6th grade ELA at Robbins.Elizabeth Carroll has been teaching for fourteen years and currently teaches 5th and 6th grade ELA at Robbins. She has been married to fellow teacher, Michael Carroll, for twenty years and attends Black Creek Baptist Church. She is the proud mom to Clayton, Emma, and Houston and enjoys watching her boys play college and middle school ball and being a dance and cheer mom for her daughter.

“When students feel comfortable in the classroom, they take risks, begin to find success, and achieve more. I always vow to be honest with my students and expect honest conversation in return. This fosters teacher-student relationships.”

Keisha Bass, teaches English 11 and 12 and Honors English 11 at SHS.Keisha Bass teaches English 11 and 12 and Honors English 11 at Scott High School. This is her 14th year teaching. She lives in Huntsville with her husband of seventeen years, Aaron, and their daughters Ava and Emma.

“I love teaching because it provides me an opportunity to interact with our amazing students at SHS. I have great co-workers and administrators that provide a space to promote learning. I have always wanted to be a teacher and was greatly inspired by teachers like Craig Reed and Gary Sexton. I hope to help students and make a difference the way they did!”