Teachers of the Year Honored by West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation

Congratulations to the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation Teachers of the Year award recipients who were nominated by numerous admiring colleagues, principals, and parents. The annual award is made possible by the Foundation and the West TN Diamond Jaxx. Recognized were Teresa Luna of Madison Academic Magnet High School (who represents the award for grades seven-12) and Sandy Hardin of Isaac Lane Elementary School (who represents the award for kindergarten-sixth grade.

Luna has spent approximately 20 years in the classroom-16 years at JCM and 4 years at Madison Academic. Luna earned her bachelor's degree from Union University and a master's degree from University of Memphis. She serves as a volunteer tutor for struggling athletes and learning disabled students. She partners with a local newspaper to promote student involvement in politics and journalistic writing. Those who nominated her said that Teresa Luna is an extraordinary teacher and describe her as the school's most valuable asset. Luna has coached the Madison academic decathlon team for the past four years and her teams have successfully taken the state title all those years. In 2004 her team won a national title. On many occasions, Luna invites community leaders to speak to her classes on timely topics ranging from Renaissance art to medicine and the Holocaust. Luna's teaching style reflects her drive to expand the student's thinking and experiences and support for them to be all they can. Luna has been attending law school and will graduate this spring.

Sandy Hardin has taught for 27 years through various resource and/or special education classrooms across four states. Hardin graduated from Truman State University in Missouri and is extensively trained in special education and classroom management. Currently, she teaches Special Education for kindergarten-fourth grade at Isaac Lane Technology Magnet Elementary School. Her reputation throughout her school is that of one who has the ability to create a positive learning environment while motivating children toward their goals. A dedicated, compassionate, and caring professional, Hardin will laugh and cry with her students. She is described as a champion for students who have special needs and are in the minority. She speaks for them and helps them by seeking new methods to reach her students. One nomination letter wrote that "she will go to great lengths to get equipment and materials needed for her special needs children." She takes her children swimming, makes birthdays special, holds a Thanksgiving feast, and gets them involved in the Special Olympics.

Each teacher received $1,000 and a trophy and will be featured on a baseball card with the Diamond Jaxx players.

The presentations were made during the recent School Board meeting. Superintendent Dr. Nancy Zambito and the principals of both represented schools were at the meeting to support the winners. WBBJ TV7 covered the announcement live to the surprise of the two winners. 2007 marks the four year of these prestigious awards.