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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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Math teacher making an impact

photo Michelle Bettis is a math and algebra teacher at East Hamilton School in Ooltewah, TN. Bettis is a nominee for the Education in Excellence award.
Children with special needs fished during a program Wednesday at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock.

Fishing derby at Camp Aldersgate

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ABOUT THE WINNER Michelle BettisAge: 37Education: Bachelor’s degree in education from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; master’s degree in education from Tusculum CollegeYears at school: Has worked at East Hamilton Middle High School two yearsYears in education: Has worked in Hamilton County Schools for 10 yearsPersonal: 3 children, two boys and a girlQUOTE ABOUT THE FINALIST”She really inspires her kids to be their best.”- Chrissy Easterly, assistant principal at East Hamilton Middle High SchoolLITTLE-KNOWN FACTMichelle Bettis now works with the same teacher who inspired her in sixth grade to go into teaching – Jo Roberson.

There was only one thing Michelle Bettis ever dreamed about.

That dream was to stand in front of a classroom and inspire children as she had been inspired herself.

“When I was in first grade my mom would write down what I wanted to be, and every year it was a teacher,” she said.

The inspiration she has given to the children in her eighth grade math classes at East Hamilton Middle High School has helped make her a finalist in the 2012 Education in Excellence awards.