The list of our 2019-2020 PCSS school-level Teachers of the Year is below.
The criteria for the Teacher of the Year are:
The Tennessee Teacher of the Year program is designed to promote recognition, respect and appreciation for teachers, to stimulate interest in teaching as a career, and to encourage public involvement in education.
Teachers of the Year are selected competitively through five cycles: school, district, region, grand division and state in three grade bands: pre-k–4, 5–8, and 9–12.
Each school faculty may choose a teacher(s) to participate in the school system competition. Nominations must be complete and your choices
Teachers of the Year at all levels must:
have a broad understanding of research-based models for effective teaching and of current trends and issues in education,
be facilitators of learning, skilled in implementing creative teaching strategies,
be able to show evidence of positive teacher effect over time-related to student achievement through formal and informal documentation,
be able to explain, discuss, and defend a personal philosophy of teaching,
be poised, articulate, enthusiastic, and energetic,
be exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled,
have a superior ability to teach and to inspire in students a love of learning,
be recognized as leaders in the community and in the school,
show active involvement and leadership in professional development and extra-curricular activities,
inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn, and
have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues.
In order to be considered for the state-level award, a Teacher of the Year candidate must:
be a full-time, certified, in good standing, pre-k–12 teacher in a state-accredited public or charter school in Tennessee at each stage of the recognition process (school, district, region, grand division, state, and national levels),
spend the majority of the school day in direct instruction to students,
have a minimum of three years of experience as a teacher in Tennessee public or charter schools, and
have a track record of exceptional gains in student learning.
The timeline for our selection process for district TOYs is as follows:
Friday, January 4 by 4:00 p.m.
School Level TOY Applications due to Lisa Harris (lisa.harris@pcsstn.com) in the Teaching and Learning Office
Arrange for your TOY nominees classes to be covered either internally or by providing a sub during their scheduled interview.
Thursday, January 10
MS/HS TOY Interviews
Nominees will be contacted to schedule times.
Arrange for your TOY nominees classes to be covered either internally or by providing a sub during their scheduled interview.
Monday, January 14
Notification of District Level TOYs
The “Prize Patrol” will visit the schools of the District Level TOYs
Friday, January 18 by 4:00 p.m.
District TOY winner applications must be submitted for Regional competition to Lisa Harris (lisa.harris@pcsstn.com) in the Teaching and Learning Office.
In addition to the application already submitted, District TOYs must submit
three (3) one-page letters of support.
One MUST be from the principal citing relevant data on student gains.
The other two letters may be from a parent, colleague, administrator, or student.
a photo headshot
All of this is contingent on not having snow days on the interview dates, of course.
