2022-23 Teachers of the Year

Fayette County Public Schools is proud to recognize our school-level and district-level Teachers of the Year for the 2022-2023 school term. These honorees represent the many FCPS teachers who prioritize the needs of all children and who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of students. When you see an educator, please be sure to congratulate them and thank them for their service.

Leah Andres currently teaches English at Jefferson Innovative Learning Center (JILC) where she works with students in grades nine through twelve. She has been at JILC for six years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Ole Miss. Mrs. Andres has been married to her husband Craig for almost 40 years. They have two grown children, Paul and Ashley. She enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes.

Mrs. Andres wanted to be a teacher to encourage students to love to read and to become lifelong learners. She states, “It is rewarding to me when reluctant readers become less reluctant!”

Ragan Nelson currently serves as a third grade Math and Science teacher at Buckley-Carpenter Elementary School and has been with FCPS for four years. Mrs. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education K-5 from The University of Tennessee at Martin. She just got married to her husband, Calvin, in November. They have a sweet little pup named Ollie.

Mrs. Nelson wanted to be a teacher because she grew up playing school constantly. She loved to make up her own class and pretend she was grading their work. She moved schools several times and was blessed to always have teachers who helped make the transition from one school to another easier. When it came time for her to really decide what she wanted to do when she grew up, she thought of those teachers and the impact that they had on her life. She wanted to be that person that helped students for as many students as she could.

Mrs. Nelson states, “The relationships I have built with my students over the years is hands down my favorite part about teaching. There is nothing better than running into a student from the past and them running up to me, hugging me, and telling me all the things they remember from their time in 3rd grade.”

Rhonda Clark is a fifth grade Math and Science teacher at Southwest Elementary, where she has been for six years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Mississippi. Ms. Clark wanted to become a teacher to help others dream, believe, and achieve their goals and aspirations.

Ms. Clark states, “My favorite thing about teaching is interacting with my students and empowering them through education to become an outstanding person and member of society.”

Ms. Clydene Neal is in her first year of teaching seventh grade English Language Arts at East Junior High School, but she has served in Fayette County Public Schools for several years. She holds a Bachelor of Science Elementary Education from Tennessee State University and a Master of Education from Bethel College. She has a son and is raising a seven year old granddaughter. Her father, her two sisters, and her brother are all a blessed part of her life as well.

Ms. Neal says, “I choose this career because of my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Odelia Jones. She was my inspiration. Mrs. Jones treated her students with respect, care, and love. She made sure that all students were engaged in learning and she also took time with each student no matter what the situation or who the student was. She never frowned upon the students because of who they were or were not. With what Mrs. Jones did for me and how she made me feel as a student, I wanted to be that teacher as well to make my students feel the same; no big I’s and no little you’s. My favorite thing about teaching is learning the students’ personalities.”

Mrs. Mary-Aliene Flaniken is a veteran educator in Fayette County Public Schools, where she has taught for the past forty-two years. She teaches Music PreK through fifth grade at Buckley-Carpenter Elementary School. Mrs. Flaniken attended the University of Tennessee at Martin where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and an Endorsement of Elementary Education. She has been married for 42 years and has two daughters and four grandchildren. Besides music, she enjoys sewing and baking. She has lived in Fayette County all her life and this is home.

Mrs. Flaniken states, “I have always had a passion for and enjoyed working with children. That, combined with my deep love of music, created the perfect avenue for my music education career. It was a calling I followed to teach and expose students to the majesty of music. It is my ministry and mission to influence young minds with a wide range of music and music history. Music has played an important role in every human being's life, regardless of where they live. I am proud to have spent decades sharing and teaching students various cultures of music education.”

One of Mrs. Flaniken’s favorite things about teaching is being able to mentor and share in their growth experiences in music and life each year. Every class and young student is unique and talented in their own way. She views it as a challenge to help them identify and exploit their personal gifts and talents. One advantage she has, as an auxiliary teacher, is that she sees the children each year from preschool through fifth grade. Music is part of everyone's life and affects all aspects of their lives. When her students sing and aren't afraid to speak in front of the entire school plus parents and perform with such emotion, it is truly a thing of beauty for Mrs. Flaniken personally, spiritually, and emotionally. She loves her job of 42 years and loves each and every student who passes through her doors. She always states that her love for students is the reason she chose to teach.

“When I started teaching in Fayette County Schools, we did not have an elementary music program.” stated Mrs. Flaniken. “The superintendent at the time, Dr. Callicut, called me and discussed getting a program started. The new high school was being built so he wanted to start with the older students. In 1982, I started traveling and teaching music to fifth through eighth graders in all eight elementary schools. After many years of traveling, we now have a music teacher in each school. I'm proud and privileged to have had the administration have confidence in me to plan and establish the elementary music program in Fayette County Schools.”

Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School CCTE (College and Career Technical Education) Computer Technology and Networking Systems instructor Jerry Henderson teaches grades 9-12. He has been educating students in FCPS for the past 28 years. Mr. Henderson holds a A+ CompTIA Certification, IT TestOut Certification, New Horizons Computer Center certification, and earned his teacher licensure from the University of Memphis and the University of Knoxville.

Mr. Henderson chose to be an educator so that he could impact the lives of students and help shape future generations. One of the things that Mr. Henderson treasures most about teaching is seeing his students master difficult skills. His favorite thing about teaching is the look a student gets as their eyes light up when they get an answer right that has eluded them. At that point, all of the time and effort put in as a teacher is worth the hard work involved. When students can repair something all on their own, Mr. Henderson knows that he holds a small part in the education of his students. Mr. Henderson says that he teaches some of the best and smartest students in the world. He is proud of his students and all of their many accomplishments.

Chris Ann Hobson teaches sixth grade at West Junior High School. She currently teaches Reading and Language Arts and has been in Fayette County Public Schools for five years. Mrs. Hobson holds a Bachelor of Science in Education (BS) from the University of Memphis, a Masters of Education (MED) from Strayer University, an ED.S in Accountability and Instructional Leadership from Trevecca of Nazarene University, and a Doctor of Education in Leadership (Ed.D) from Trevecca of Nazarene University.

Mrs. Hobson states, “I am a child of God first. Carrano "Tony" Hobson, my husband of 28 years, has been my rock and staunch supporter throughout my educational path. Brandon, LaMarcus (Raven), and Antonious are our three cherished boys. We are the proud grandparents of Bryan, LaMarion, and Grayson. I am pleased to attend the House of Faith Ministry in Somerville, Tennessee, where I continue to develop spiritually under the leadership of Bishop C.H. and 1st Lady Annie Wright. I have the support of my mother, my in-laws, and the rest of my family. God has called me, and I have embraced the call with honor. It takes a village to raise a child, and the same village is required to support a teacher. It is an honor to receive this prestigious award and I thank God for it!”

Mrs. Hobson says, “As stated in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," the Lord reveals, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God has ordained me as a teacher. As a teacher, I am in a unique position to influence my students' lives. I strive to interact daily with them, aiding them in the discovery of fresh and significant knowledge and ideas. I believe I have a direct impact on their lives, which is in part why I chose to become an educator.”

Mrs. Hobson enjoys teaching mainly because of her scholars. She enjoys talking with them, learning from them, assisting them in comprehending the course material, and seeing them make the connection between what they are learning and their life. Because students learn in diverse ways, it is not always simple to assist children in seeing that they are capable of learning and in identifying tactics that will help each of them learn based on their own learning styles. However, she enjoys knowing that a student has not only mastered a skill or topic, but also learned how to learn.

Mr. Ray Mullins has been the PreK-fifth grade Music instructor at LaGrange-Moscow Elementary School for the past two years. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Memphis and a Master of Arts in Education from Union University. He also holds an Orff Music Certificate from the University of Memphis. Mr. Mullins and his wife are adoptive and Foster parents who serve as advisors to Youth Villages and AdoptUSkids.org. He also serves on a National committee for Church music called CLEF (Catholic Liturgical Ensemble Formation). He has authored books on Irish-American Music in the elementary setting and has presented at conferences in Salt Lake City, Durham, Nashville, Jackson, Memphis, Louisville, Tulsa, and Columbus.

Mr. Mullins states, “I became a teacher to not only pass on a love of music to students, but to enable them to be artful, musical, and empathetic for the rest of their lives. I love how making music together can dissolve walls between individuals and build up community in the classroom.”

Mrs. Lisa Starnes has taught in Fayette County Public Schools for eight years. She is currently happy to serve as fifth grade Math and Science teacher at Oakland Elementary School. Mrs. Starnes holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Memphis in K-6 General Education and a K-12 SPED certification. She also holds a Master of Science in Education in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership. Mrs. Starnes is married to her high school sweetheart, Brian. They have been married for 15 years. They have one child, Oliver, and her nephew, Andre. In her free time, she goes to Memphis Tigers games and tries to make as many Grizzlies games as possible.

Mrs. Starnes said, “I have always wanted to be a teacher. From the first time I was asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?,” it was always a teacher. I love sharing the gift of learning with my students. My favorite thing about teaching would probably be the “ah-ha” moment. I love seeing the kids’ faces when they finally get it. I love that my students want to help other students have the same “ah-ha” moments.”

Mrs. Sonya Taylor is in her first year of teaching fourth grade English Language Arts at Southwest Elementary School. She holds a Master of Education in Teaching Skills and Methodology from Cambridge College, a Bachelor of Art in General Education Studies from Victory University, and an Associate Degree in Elementary Education from Dyersburg State Community College. She is a proud wife, mother, and grandmother of a three year old. She loves to read, shop, and spend time with her family. She also loves to travel.

Mrs. Taylor states, “I wanted to become a teacher to share my love of learning with my students, and to show them learning can be fun. I wanted to motivate, inspire, and make a difference in their lives. I love seeing my students try new things and witnessing them reach their goals. I also love making learning fun for my students.”

Ms. Hannah Whitefoot has served at LaGrange-Moscow Elementary School for four years. She currently teaches second grade. Ms. Whitefoot holds a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education.

Ms. Whitefoot originally wanted to be a gym teacher until she interned in a kindergarten class in high school. She then realized that was the environment she really wanted to be in. Getting to watch students grow in all aspects of themselves is her reason for teaching. Ms. Whitefoot states, “Getting to watch the kids grow from the beginning of the year to the end and getting to love them everyday at school is my favorite part of teaching. I am grateful to be recognized among other amazing teachers. I would like to thank my family for encouraging me throughout my teaching career.”

Mrs. Patti Williams has served in Fayette County Schools since 1981. She teaches second grade at Oakland Elementary School, a position she has held for ten years. Mrs. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood Education from Union University. She has spent her entire teaching career in Fayette County Public Schools. Mrs. Williams has been married to the same wonderful man for almost 40 years and has three sons who attended Oakland Elementary with her.

Mrs. Williams has always wanted to be a teacher since she was in middle school. She has always enjoyed working with children. Mrs. Williams states, “I like many things about teaching. I love the children's enthusiasm for learning which all children have. I like watching them learn not only academically but how to engage with other children and adults. I enjoy meeting the parents and communicating with them. I love how the children enjoy coming to class.”

A. Woods Ms. Aurelia Woods is a twelfth grade English and Math Inclusion teacher at Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School, where she has served the Wildcats for seven years. She holds a Bachelor in Health Studies and Behavior Science from the University of Memphis and a Masters in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. She is currently working to become a specialist in Teaching and Learning.

Ms. Woods stated, “I have always had a passion for helping others and working with children. So what better way to combine my two passions than by teaching? I started my career as a paraprofessional and that is where I truly found my love for the classroom. I feel that there is a major need in the field of education and I am glad I am able to do my part in helping our students reach their goals.” Her favorite thing about teaching is being able to watch students grow and change over the years. She says, “It is so gratifying when working with students to finally see when that "light bulb" go off in their heads.”