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Last Update: 05/01/2009

For Immediate Release
October 17, 2006

Tennessee Names 2007 Teacher of the Year

 (Nashville, TN-)-   Susanne Frensley was named Tennessee Teacher of the Year Monday night and will represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year Award program.  Frensley, who teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Art History, Art Survey and World Geography at Hillsboro High School, became the fourth Metro Nashville Schools teacher named in the 46-year history of the recognition program.  

“Teaching is a profession worthy of the utmost respect given the immense responsibility of preparing the next generation of scientists, authors, world leaders and business men and women,” Governor Phil Bredesen said. “The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award is one way we can recognize those who go above and beyond the job description to infuse excellence into education in Tennessee. We must do everything in our power to honor and reward leading educators and attract bright youth to pursue this noble calling.”

“This award honors teachers who epitomize the dedication, innovation and knowledge which characterize an outstanding educator,” Education Commissioner Lana Seivers said. “Students respond when teachers show enthusiasm for their subject and genuine interest in the lives and success of their students. I congratulate Ms. Frensley on earning the esteem of her colleagues by demonstrating these qualities.”

Frensley has 12 years teaching experience and for the last nine years, 95 percent of her students have passed the AP Art History exam. Beyond the classroom, she has served as a leader for the College Board AP initiative and co-authored Davidson County’s World History curriculum and exit exam. She also volunteers extensively in the Nashville community. She is the first AP Art History teacher to receive the Teacher of the Year Award.

Also named were the East and West Tennessee Grand Division winners: Barbara Buckner and Michael Morrison, respectively. Buckner, also a 12-year teaching veteran, teaches science at Bradley Central High School and is a PhD candidate in mathematics education. Morrison teaches eighth grade math and honors algebra at Mt. Pisgah Middle School in Shelby County and has conducted numerous trainings and presentations across the country in math education.

Tennessee’s Teacher of the Year Award Program is sponsored by the Niswonger Foundation, a Greeneville-based organization that provides student scholarships and resources for school systems in Tennessee. Each Grand Division Winner receives a $5,000 monetary award and each finalist receives $1,000.

The nine finalists in the 2007 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award program included:

 

Pre-K – 4

5 – 8

9 - 12

East

Dr. Helen Brooke Blair

Sevierville Primary

Sevier County Schools

Diane Holmes

Hunter Middle School

Hamilton County Schools

Barbara Renee Buckner

Bradley Central High

Bradley County Schools

Middle

Jill High Wilmore

Carthage Elementary

Smith County Schools

Tracey Lynne Hoover

East Montgomery Elem.

Clarksville-Montgomery   County Schools

Susanne Frensley

Hillsboro High School

Metro Nashville Schools

West

Cynthia Tesreau

Bailey Station Elementary

Shelby County Schools

Michael Earl Morrison

Mt. Pisgah Middle School

Shelby County Schools

Denise A. Brown

McNairy Central High

McNairy County Schools

* Grand Division Winners shown in bold.

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@tn.gov.