Teresa Jones, seventh-grade math and science teacher at DeKalb West School is the 2020 Teacher of the Year. She received the “John Isabell Memorial Award” Thursday night during the 13th Annual Teacher of the Year banquet at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center.
The award and a check for $150 was presented to Jones by Roy Nelson Pugh of Liberty State Bank, a sponsor of the banquet, along with Director of Schools Patrick Cripps and Lori Isabell. John Isabell who passed away in 2014 was Lori’s husband and the DeKalb County Teacher of the Year award is named in his honor. John Isabell was a long time educator and former President of the DeKalb County Education Association.
Jones, who is in her 18th year as a teacher, was among five local educators who were recognized during the banquet for being chosen by peers as “Teacher of the Year” at their schools. The others were second grade teacher Tiffany Cowart at Smithville Elementary School; fourth grade teacher Debra Poteete at Northside Elementary School; Tonya Ellis, a kindergarten teacher at DeKalb West School; and Rebecca Miller, a Family and Consumer Science teacher at DeKalb County High School.
“I feel very privileged and I am definitely blessed. This is my 18th year of teaching and I love it. I am originally from Kentucky but my family started out in Carthage and I worked previously in Smith County for 15 years before coming here. I have been in DeKalb County now for three years. I love DeKalb Middle School and the family atmosphere there,” Jones said.
“Ms Jones is a very caring and dedicated teacher and goes above and beyond. She does anything and everything you ask her with a positive attitude. She does a phenomenal job in and out of her classroom involving herself for student achievement whether it be academic or sports related. She gives up her planning to assist struggling students to understand new skills or just to provide extra clarification. She works diligently with students in after school programs and it is very obvious that her passion is the students. It is an honor to have Ms Jones as part of our staff,” said DeKalb Middle School Principal Lacey Foutch.
Administrators introduced the Teachers of the Year at their schools, remarked on how they deserved the honor, and presented them with a school bell award.
School board members attending were Alan Hayes and Doug Stephens.
“Our district’s Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding teachers in DeKalb County. We applaud teachers who care about our children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of DeKalb students, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement. We are not just exceptionally proud of our Teachers of the Year, but we are also grateful for all of our educators in DeKalb County,” said Director Patrick Cripps.
