Cleveland Teacher Named As Finalist for 2015-16 Tennessee Teacher Of The Year Award

The Tennessee Department of Education announced the finalists for the 2015-16 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award. The nine finalists are elementary, middle, and high school educators from each Grand Division of the state. Grand Division winners and the Teacher of the Year will be selected from this group and announced this fall.

 

"Teachers are the biggest factor in the success of our students, and it is an honor to celebrate educators that are helping their students grow," Education Commissioner Candice McQueen said. “We celebrate these finalists, but also the thousands of dedicated educators across the state.”

 

These finalists will have the opportunity to join the commissioner’s Teacher Advisory Council. Members of this body will offer insight, feedback, and advice on issues that impact teachers across the state.

 

“Seeking feedback and advice from our Teacher of the Year finalists is a critical step in ensuring that we are learning from and listening to teachers from all regions of our state,” Commissioner McQueen said.

 

Mr. Adam Moss, 5th grade teacher at Arnold Memorial Elementary School, is one of the finalists. This is the third consecutive year that Cleveland City Schools has a finalist for the Tennessee Teacher of the Year. 

Dr. Martin Ringstaff, Director of Cleveland City Schools, said, “Adam Moss is an exceptional teacher; he brings energy and dedication to his classroom every day. We are proud of Adam’s accomplishments; he is an excellent representative of the outstanding educators in Cleveland City Schools.” 

Mr. Moss has been a 5th grade teacher at Arnold Memorial Elementary School for six years.  He has served Arnold on the School Leadership Team and as a Math Mentor-Teacher for new teachers.  Mr. Moss is a member of the inaugural cohort of the Educator Fellowship with the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (S.C.O.R.E.) and served as a Math Core Coach Trainer for the Tennessee Department of Education.  Mr. Moss sponsors the competitive Math Olympiad program for outstanding 4th and 5th grade students in the Cleveland and Bradley County area.

The nine finalists for 2015-16 Teacher of the Year for East Tennessee are:

 

 

 

The final winner will represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year competition and is an ambassador for education throughout the year. To qualify, candidates must have been teaching full-time for at least five years, have a proven record of using creative, research-based teaching strategies resulting in measurable achievement, and be effective school and community leaders. A panel of professional educators from across the state scored applications to identify these finalists.

For more information, contact Ashley Ball at (615) 532-6260 or Ashley.M.Ball@tn.gov.