Local teacher among finalists for Tennessee Teacher of the Year award

Kristin Burrus
Kristin Burrus
photo Kristin Burrus

The Tennessee Department of Education today announced the finalists for the 2017-18 Tennessee Teacher of the Year award and a local teacher was named.

Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences teacher Kristin Burrus was among the nine selected.

Burrus is a STEM Fellows Program member, a cabinet member participant in the CSAS Shared Leadership Team, a presenter at the National Paideia Conference and Magnet Schools of America conference and the facilitator of the CSAS Earth Club.

The finalists represent each Center of Regional Excellence (CORE) area in the state, with three finalists in each Grand Division (west, middle, and east). Grand Division winners and the Teacher of the Year will be selected from this group and announced during an honorary banquet this fall.

"These teachers are our students' heroes," Education Commissioner Candice McQueen said. "Our educators have a direct, positive influence on students every day. And, because of educators like these nine finalists, Tennessee's future is bright."

The final winner will represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year competition and serve as an ambassador for education in the state throughout the year. To qualify, candidates must have been teaching full-time for at least three years, have a track record of exceptional gains in student learning, and be effective school and community leaders.

Finalists will have the opportunity to serve on Commissioner McQueen's Teacher Advisory Council for duration of the 2017-18 school year. This council acts as a working group of expert teachers to provide feedback and inform the work of the department throughout the school year. Additionally, to provide continuity and leadership, the three Grand Division winners will continue their term during the 2018-19 school year.

2017-18 Tennessee Teacher of the Year finalists:

Teacher - CORE Region - School - District

  • Stephanie Rice - Shelby/Municipals - Crosswind Elementary - Collierville Schools
  • Mandy Fraley - Southwest - Northeast Middle - Jackson-Madison County Schools
  • Carol Nanney - Northwest - McKenzie Middle - McKenzie Special School District
  • Cicely Woodard - Mid Cumberland - West End Middle - Metro Nashville Public Schools
  • Chelle Daniels - South Central - West Middle - Tullahoma City Schools
  • Kristin Burrus - Southeast - Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences - Hamilton County Department of Education
  • Karen Latus - East Tennessee - Bearden High - Knox County Schools
  • Nancy Miles - First Tennessee - South Side Elementary - Johnson City Schools

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