Three teachers were honored as the 2013 Hamilton County Teachers of the Year. The teachers and their principals will be recognized at a special luncheon at the Broad Street Grill at The Chattanoogan Hotel this Friday, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Phyllis Copeland from Barger Academy of Fine Arts, Lorrie Holland from Loftis Middle School and Neshawn Calloway from Center for Creative Arts were named 2013 HCDE Teachers of the Year.  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.  The greatest asset any school system can have is outstanding teachers,” said Stacey Roddy, Director of Elementary Math & Science, who coordinates the awards.  “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.”

The following are highlights of the 2013 Hamilton County Schools Teachers of the Year:

Phyllis Copeland, Kindergarten, Barger Academy of Fine Arts, Grades K-4 Division

• 38 years teaching experience
• 8 years teaching experience in Tennessee public schools
• Bachelor of Science in Education, Georgia College
• Master of Science in Education, West Georgia College
• Supervised many student teachers
• Grade level leader/team leader
• SAC’s 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, 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,” Mrs. Copeland said.  “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,” Mrs. Copeland said.  “I always strive to encourage my students to become good citizens, to care about others, and to be responsible for their own actions.”

• “I strive to always accept students as they are and to help find and develop their own qualities,” Mrs. Copeland said.  “It is now more important to teach students to think so they can solve problems they will face in our rapidly changing world.”

• Mrs. Copeland states, “I set high expectations and encourage students to do their best.”

• “Phyllis is the type of teacher every administrator desires to have in his building,” Barger Academy Principal Mr. Bagby wrote in his letter of recommendation.  “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.”

• “Mrs. Copeland starts each morning by greeting her children with a warm smile, hugs, and calming words including, we are going to have a good day today,” Ms. Roberts, Fine Arts Facilitator, wrote in her letter of recommendation.  “If anyone walked into Mrs. Copeland’s classroom, they would see excitement, positive reinforcement, lots of motivation, encouragement, and engaged students.”

• A colleague, Ms. Jordan stated, “Phyllis has been helpful in sharing her vast teaching expertise with her team.  She attends many professional development workshops to continue to sharpen her skills in teaching.”

Lorrie Holland, Mathematics, Grade 6, Loftis Middle School, Grades 5-8 Division

• 25 years teaching experience
• 25 years teaching experience in Tennessee public schools
• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• Master of Arts in Education, Tusculum College, Greeneville, TN
• 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
• News Channel 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,” Mrs. Holland said.  “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 okay but an opportunity to learn,” Mrs. Holland said.  “Watching a student experience an ‘aha’ moment and see the light bulb in their head go on is exciting.”

• “Being recognized by my peers is definitely an honor, but as all teachers know, the true accomplishments are when you are able to reach students and help them improve and see them begin to reach their potential,” Mrs. Holland said.  “Knowing where my students are is the key to helping them move forward. By holding my students accountable for their learning, I want them to know that they are in control of their learning.”

• Mrs. Holland states, “Hopefully my enthusiasm and energy in the classroom is contagious.  If I am not excited about learning, how can I expect my students to be? I am a firm believer in the Chinese proverb, ‘Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.”

• “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,” Loftis Middle School Principal Brent Eller wrote in his letter of recommendation.  “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.”

• “Mrs. Holland creates a classroom atmosphere where learning can flourish and maximum student achievement can be attained,” Middle School Director Steve Holmes stated in his letter of recommendation.  “Her teaching style holds all stakeholders accountable, while at the same time demanding mutual respect.  This rare combination leads her students to levels of success that will allow them opportunities to excel not only in the classroom, but also in life.”

• A parent and colleague, Samantha Smith stated, “Lorrie’s first and foremost concern has always been about the students and what is in their best interest.  As students were promoted to the next grade, I was fortunate to have Lorrie’s former students in my classroom.  They were extremely well prepared for the challenges of our grade.  The students were willing to take chances in their learning and accept that mistakes were part of that process.  Mrs. Holland is that kind of teacher, the kind we all want for our own children.”

Neshawn Calloway, Vocal Music, Center for Creative Arts, Grades 9-12 Division

• 17 years of teaching experience
• 12 years of teaching experience in Tennessee public schools
• Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, Memphis State University
• Master’s in Music Education, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• National Association of Music Educators
• Co-chair for Chattanooga Chapter, ACTSO (Academic, Cultural, Technological Science Olympics sponsored by the National Advancement of Colored People)
• 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,” Ms. Calloway said.  “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,” Ms. Calloway said.  “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.”

• “Teaching is a calling that requires you to care for the whole student.  I want my students to be successful in every area of their life and I work to maintain communication with parents to ensure that success,” Ms. Calloway said.  “I want to make sure my students leave my class empowered musically, personally, academically and to expose them to new ideas, varied musical experiences and different cultures.”

• “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,” Center for Creative Arts Principal Debbie Smith wrote in her letter of recommendation.  “Our choirs are recognized across the state for their talent as vocalists.  The All East choral festival, as well as the JB Lyle 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.”

• “Neshawn Calloway exemplifies the teacher every parent wants for his or her child because of her passion for her students and music,” Karla Riddle, Director of Innovative Programs, said in her letter of recommendation.  “She has instilled a love of music in all her students, even those who did not go on to pursue a career as a music professional.  Her individual contributions to the community are numerous.”

• A parent, Sandra Howell stated, “Students and parents alike find her to be caring, compassionate, creative, and confident with a passion for excellence that is second to none.  Her very presence in the classroom is profoundly inspiring to students, who are expected to give their best at all times in an environment that ignites the passion and talents inside them.  As I began to write this letter, I asked my 17-year old son what he would say about Ms.Calloway.  He said, She treats us all as if we are family – protective, supportive, encouraging, and inspiring.  Ms. Calloway makes learning fun and enjoyable.”