Henry, Tenn.– In front of her students and peers, Henry Elementary School Teacher Valerie Godina was given the news that she has been chosen to represent the Northwest Tennessee region, grades 4-8, as Teacher of the Year.
The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding teachers in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Education recognizes teachers who care about children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of Tennessee students, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement.
A total of 27 teachers, three in each region, one in each grade level, were selected by the state.
Region-Level Teachers of the Year finalists will now complete additional components of an application process and then one region-level Teacher of the Year will be selected from each of the eight CORE regions, plus Shelby County and its municipalities.
The Tennessee Teacher of the year will be selected from the finalists and will go on to compete in the National Teacher of the Year.
Godina teaches middle school science and is the Director of Kid’s Corner, the school’s after-school program. She has been with the Henry County School System for six years.
When asked about her selection as Teacher of the Year for her region and grade level, Godina said, “I’m the most fortunate person in the world to be able to do what I love to do each and every day.” She then told the student-filled gym how much she loved them and thanked the administration for allowing the opportunity to teach the students in Henry County.
Photo: Henry Principal David Kibbler at left, with Godina and Director of Schools Brian Norton at right. (Susan Burton photo).
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