Lakeland School System (LSS) Teachers of the Year have been selected and advance to the Southwest Region State Competition, according to Dr. Ted Horrell, LSS superintendent.
Chosen for Lakeland Elementary School (LES) is Brandy Summers, a third-grade teacher.
Crystal Nolen is the winner at Lakeland Middle Preparatory School (LMPS). She is a fifth-grade English Language Arts teacher.
On March 27th, 27 regional-level teachers will be announced: Three in each CORE and one in each grade band.
Of Mrs. Summer’s selection, LES Principal Joretha Lockhart said, “Mrs. Summers is a teacher’s teacher. She is not only respected by her parents and students, but regarded as a leader amongst her peers. Mrs. Summers facilitates the learning in her classroom by diving deep into the curriculum to bring out the best in her students.
“She works extremely hard to make the learning relevant and to ensure her students are engaged in their learning from the first bell to the last bell. Whether she’s working with one student individually at the back table or teaching in front of the whole class, Mrs. Summers is focused on helping each student learn, grow, and be successful. Moreover, her bright smile and contagious laugh brings joy to everyone around her. Not only do her students love her, but her colleagues do as well. LES is proud of our Teacher of the Year!!!! Congratulations Mrs. Brandy Summers”
Mrs. Summers is currently in her 11th year of teaching. “I previously taught kindergarten for six years in Arkansas before moving to Tennessee. At Lakeland I have taught only third grade and this is my fifth year teaching third grade. My favorite subject to teach is math. In my opinion, math is the most fun subject to learn which makes it the most fun to teach! The biggest challenge and yet the most rewarding part of education is teaching all learners. In teaching, I learned early on that each child learns differently, so teaching to all of the different learners is a challenge, but when you realize you have reached both a struggling student and an advancing student, the joy of their accomplishments far outweigh the challenge!”
She is from Walnut Ridge, AR and graduated from Williams Baptist College with a BSE in early childhood education. She and her husband, Brian Summers, have two children: Jayden, LMPS fifth grader, and Beckett, two-years-old.
Matt Adler, principal of LMPS, said of Mrs. Nolen: “We are thrilled to announce Mrs. Nolen as the Teacher of the Year for LMPS. Mrs. Nolen is a teacher who sees the gifts and talents of all students. She realizes that each student develops and grows at an individual pace, and she is willing to plan for and support that growth as best benefits each student. Mrs. Nolen is also a support to her colleagues throughout the school via technology support, ideas for instructional strategies, and always has a listening ear for our Lions family.”
Mrs. Nolen is from Paris, TN but was born in Germany while her family served in the military. She went to the University of Tennessee at Martin for a bachelor’s degree in education and received her master’s degree in education from Bethel University.
She was a fifth grade teacher six years and a fourth grade teacher and lead tech four years. She taught Sunday School in Paris five years. Among her recognitions are “Readers’ Choice County Favorite Teacher” and “Teacher of the Year” at the local and district level.
“I believe education should prepare students to succeed in the world outside the walls of the school,” she said. “Lakeland has provided a family in which I can turn to for anything I need when the inevitable hard days come around. There is a very supportive staff that works hard every day to do the best for their students. I’m inspired daily by each one of them, and no recognition should be given without giving credit to the entire LMPS team.”
She continued, “I want to teach children to love themselves and love others. This includes being accountable for their decisions, both good and bad. All decisions have consequences, and instead of fixing every problem, I want to give students the tools they need to solve their own.”
… Photos courtesy of LSS
