Keen Babbage • Bryan Station Traditional Middle School, Associate Principal, also teaches 8th Grade Economics

“Students are real people living real lives right now. If you connect them, they will learn. If you connect with them, everyone learns together. I use the extreme teaching approach which builds upon the wholesome knowledge, interests and talents of students to make connections between what students know and what they need to learn.The brain is designed to make connections. Plus, by making learning at school connect with the wholesome knowledge, interests and talents of students, there is no issue about ‘when will we ever need to know this’ or ‘why do we need to learn this.’ The purpose of teaching is to cause learning and that is the standard by which I measure my work.”

Marilyn Hoffman-Elrod • Garden Springs Elementary School, 1st Grade

"In my teaching, I try to be as flexible as possible and I always have a Plan B, in case Plan A fails. I use many hands-on activities and lots of poetry and songs. I also try to have as much fun as the boys and girls while they become independent learners and thinkers."

Michelle Hollingsworth • Johnson Elementary School, 4th Grade

"I feel that each and every child deserves the privilege of an education. Education provides the key to every aspect of a young person’s life, as well as for all future endeavors. It is my goal to be the liaison for children to achieve their dreams through whatever means I can provide."

Stacey Middleton • Bryan Station High School, Collaboration and Resource English

"The essence of my teaching career can be summed up by one thought that constantly runs through my mind - whatever I do, it’ll never be enough. This is what excites me about education. No matter what I teach my students, there will always be more. No matter what I think I know about teaching, there will always be more. I inspire to encourage students to never be satisfied with what they already know."

David Overbey • Beaumont Middle School, 8th Grade Social Studies

"I think the thing that works for me is, 'If you give respect, you get respect.' Beaumont is blessed with a lot of great kids. Most are a lot of fun. You can generally have success if you are well prepared; over prepared is good."