Each year, teachers in Lauderdale County nominate and vote for the teacher of the year in their respective school building. Teachers who are selected by their peers qualify for the TN Teacher of the Year. The TN Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding teachers in Tennessee who care about children, devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of Lauderdale County students, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement. Requirements of the program identify teachers at specific grade bands; Pre K-4th, 5th-8th, and 9th-12th.
We would like to congratulate the 2022 Lauderdale County Teachers of the Year and thank them for their hard work and dedication to their students.
Chasity Jacobs
Ripley Primary School
· Years of teaching experience: 9
· Subject and/or grades you teach: 1st grade Math and Reading
· Higher education degree/s: Bachelors, University of Tennessee at Martin
· Spouse: Keaton Jacobs
· Children and their ages: Alayna “Lani” Jacobs
Anita Medford
Ripley Elementary School
· Years of teaching experience: 22
· Subject and/or grades you teach: 4th Grade English Language Arts
· Higher education degree/s: Bachelors, University of Tennessee at Martin; Masters,
Concordia University
· Children and their ages: Rachel Fain (26), Rebecca Medford (24), Christopher Medford
(21), Alex Medford (18)
Teresa Queen
Ripley Elementary School
· Years of teaching experience: 31
· Subject and/or grades you teach: Librarian for 3-5th Grades
· Higher education degree/s: Bachelors, University of Memphis
· Spouse: David Queen
· Children and their ages: Emmie Howard (42), Paige Biglane (38), Dan Henderson (33)
Lori Halliburton
Ripley Middle School
· Years of teaching experience: 27
· Subject and/or grades you teach: 6th Grade Social Studies
· Higher education degree/s: Bachelors, University of Memphis
· Spouse: Rob Halliburton
· Children and their ages: Lauren and Tanner Halliburton
Susan McGovern
Ripley High School
· Years of teaching experience: 12
· Subject and/or grades you teach: Sophomore English and ACT Prep
· Higher education degree/s: Bachelors, University of Memphis
· Children and their ages: Mitchell McGovern (27)
Natalie Bentley
Halls Elementary School
· Years of teaching experience: 20
· Subject and/or grades you teach: 2nd Grade Math and English Language Arts
· Higher education degree/s: Bachelors, Union University
· Spouse: Mark Bentley
· Children and their ages: Drew Bentley (18) and Ally Kayte Bentley (12)
Beth Meeks
Halls Elementary School
· Years of teaching experience: 25
· Subject and/or grades you teach: 5th and 6th Grade SPED and Inclusion
· Higher education degree/s: Bachelors, University of Tennessee at Martin; Masters,
University of Memphis
· Spouse: Russell Meeks
· Children and their ages: Addison Meeks (23), Joseph Meeks (20)
Hollie McMillan
Halls Junior High School
· Years of teaching experience: 6
· Subject and/or grades you teach: 7th and 8th Grade SPED
· Higher education degree/s: Bachelors, Union University; Masters, Lipscomb University
· Spouse: Terry McMillan
· Children and their ages: Caden McMillan (12) and Lynnlee McMillan (3)
Brandon King
Halls High School
· Years of teaching experience: 8
· Subject and/or grades you teach: CTE Fundamentals of Education 9th – 12th grades
· Higher education degree/s: Bachelors, University of Tennessee at Martin
· Spouse: Kari King
· Children and their ages: Eden (1)