By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Maggie Miller, Allison Kail, and Andrew Nipp are now proud and deserving members of an elite Union City Schools fraternity.
Miller (UC Elementary), Kail (UC Middle School), and Nipp (UCHS) have been named Teachers of the Year in their respective buildings for the 2023 school year.
Top system administrators selected all three recipients for the prestigious honor based on a specific set of criteria decided upon by top brass at Union City Schools.
Each has achieved Level-5 status and possesses many outstanding traits and skills – including leadership, professionalism, mentorship, and attitude.
Director of Teaching and Learning Rene Flood beamed with pride while speaking of this year’s recipients – saying they were “terrific choices from a large number of deserving candidates from each school.
“Because we have a tremendous number of highly-qualified and hard-working teachers, this was a hard decision – and that’s a good problem to have,” Flood said. “As a group, our teachers go far beyond the norm to help our students succeed and excel. These three teachers set a great example in their classrooms with high expectations and standards, and their professionalism is also noteworthy.
“We’re so pleased to be able to acknowledge them and reward their efforts. They are each valued members of Union City Schools.’
Collectively, the trio was gracious at their recognition and deflected much of their success to those who teach and lead around them as well as the students in their respective classes.
“I love it here!” claimed Kail, a graduate of UCHS who teaches ELA (English Language Arts) at the middle school. “The students accept the standards set before them and come each day to work. I wouldn’t trade my colleagues for anything – they’re part of the absolute best school environment.
“And the administration is second to none. I can honestly say in my experience here, the leaders work more as servants. They have a ‘what can we do to make your job better or easier mentality’ and that does not go unnoticed by our faculty and staff.”
Kail, who is in her 20th year in education and fourth in the UC system, also said she was humbled at receiving the honor.
“A recognition of any kind means someone somewhere values you. And that is a humbling and encouraging feeling,” she added. “The really special part in this scenario is that someone took the time to show another person they are valued.
“As an educator, I hope my students, colleagues, and administrators know that I, too, value them because they are the very reason this is such a special honor.”
Miller, a valued member of the Special Education staff at UCES, is in the midst of her ninth year with the system and 10th in all in the teaching profession.
A graduate of Gibson County High School and the University of Memphis, she is on track to finish work on her master’s degree this spring.
Like Kail and Nipp, she has a passion for both her work and her students and spoke glowingly of her work environment.
“The best thing about teaching at Union City Schools is working for a school system that truly values the teachers’ and students’ success,” Miller said. “The Union City School System goes above and beyond for its teachers, its staff, and students.
“I am grateful to have been chosen for this honor. It is truly special to me.”
Nipp, also in his ninth year of teaching – all at UC Schools – is a 2005 Purple and Gold graduate. He received his BS in engineering from UT Martin and recently finished graduate work at Arkansas State, obtaining his M.S. Ed and Ed.S.
Nip teaches AP (Advanced Placement) physics, honors geometry, bridge math, and Algebra I at UCHS.
He insists the profession is rewarding on many levels and acknowledged his fellow teachers as a perk of the job.
“Our students at Union City High School are incredible young men and women,” he said. “Their attitudes, focus and work ethic make my job very rewarding. I really enjoy getting to know the students and watching them as they prepare for life after high school.
“And our staff at UCHS is excellent at what they do. They push me to improve daily. Being nominated for this award is an honor when you work with such great colleagues.”
The three teachers will be formally recognized at the UC Schools February board meeting.