Janna Smith
Humphreys County
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher! There's just something about freshly sharpened pencils, the smell of new crayons and crisp notebook paper that gets me excited! Pursuing a career in education has nothing to do with salary and everything to do with the love of children. No amount of money can outweigh the satisfaction a teacher feels when the face of a child lights up after reading a sentence for the very first time or mastering a difficult skill. Knowing I have a significant influence in the lives of so many children is overwhelming. Knowing I have the opportunity to influence them for good, each day they are in my care, is very humbling.
Education has been an important part of my family for as long as I can remember. My parents were both teachers, as well as both sets of grandparents. During my 26 years as an educator, I have worked with four wonderful principals. Their wisdom and insight have been indispensable in improving my performance as a teacher. I began my career as a kindergarten teacher and have taught in the same building, same grade level all these years!
I received my Bachelor of Science in Education from Freed-Hardeman College in 1987. That summer I was hired as a kindergarten teacher for McEwen Elementary. I married the love of my life in 1988, and a few short years later we had our first child, a baby girl! I began taking graduate classes through Austin Peay State University and received my Master's Degree in 1994. Two years later God gave us another little blessing, a baby boy!
Our children are grown now, but I'm still blessed. I'm blessed to be with children every day! I'm blessed to tie their little shoes and receive their sweet hugs. I'm blessed to be able to give back to the community and provide hope for the future. Most of all, I'm blessed to be making a difference!
It is an honor to win the Teacher of the Year Award for Humphreys County! Thank you so much for this opportunity! |
