Natalee Elkins, choral director at Holston Middle School in Knox County Schools, was recognized as the grand division winner for East Tennessee at the 2024 Excellence in Education 65th Sapphire Anniversary Celebration in Nashville on Sunday, August 25.
Natalee recounts the experience on social media: “Last night was amazing! I was so honored to be in a room full of incredible educators from across our great state of Tennessee. Every teacher gives selflessly daily so just being named one of our state’s nine finalists was a magnificent feat. I was immensely humbled to also be named our East Tennessee Grand Division Winner for Teacher of the Year.
“I also had the privilege to meet the 2024 National Teacher of the Year, Missy Testerman, who happens to be from Rogersville, Tennessee. I’m excited to serve with Missy on our state’s Teacher Advisory Council for the next two years where I will meet monthly to help influence our state’s laws and policies regarding education.
“I’m grateful to my family and our wonderful principal (Katie Lutton) from Holston Middle School for being there with me last night to celebrate, but the real reward are the kids who I have been blessed to be a part of their journey for the last 21 years, 17 of them at Holston. They have left their handprints all over my heart, and for that I will forever be changed for good.”
All nine finalists will also serve on the department’s Teacher Advisory Council for the duration of the 2024-25 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.
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