Celebrations Begin for WCS Teachers of the Year

  • The Prize Squad takes to the streets

    Posted by InFocus Team on 2/2/2021

    Williamson County Schools has begun to honor the district’s Teachers of the Year with plans to continue the celebration. Each school selects a teacher to honor, and a teacher from the elementary, middle and high school levels are selected for a system-wide Teacher of the Year award. These three teachers will be in competition for regional and state honors. On January 27, Superintendent Jason Golden traveled to the schools to surprise the district-wide winners in their classrooms. Take a look at the reactions to each announcement.

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Elementary Teacher of the Year

  • The elementary school Teacher of the Year is Crockett Elementary's gifted teacher Stephanie Higgs.

    "I was honored to be recognized and affirmed by my peers, and this honor was multiplied tenfold when I was selected by the district as the Elementary Teacher of the Year," Higgs said. "WCS is notorious for being a leading district of excellence in education, and it is my great honor to represent our incredible elementary schools and all for which they stand.

    Middle Teacher of the Year

    • Mill Creek Middle interventionist Latoya Howell is the Middle School Teacher of the Year.

      "This year has been a whirlwind of ups and downs for everyone, and in the midst of everything to be selected as Teacher of the Year by my colleagues and additionally at the district level affirms that I am standing in my purpose," Howell said. "I am inspired and driven by my students’ growth. I appreciate them, their parents, my family and my colleagues for all the support and encouragement. Teaching is more than just a job. It is truly my passion."

      High Teacher of the Year

      • Matt Balzer is the High School Teacher of the Year. He is the TV/Film teacher at Independence High.

        "It's truly an honor to receive the award," Balzer said. "I have been so lucky throughout my time at Independence to have the best students in my classes. It is awesome to be able to represent them. I also hope this can shine more of a spotlight on the amazing things the College, Career and Technical Education programs in Williamson County are doing."

        Congratulations to all of our school level Teachers of the Year!

        Elementary Schools

        • Valerie Black

          Allendale Elementary

        • April Flynn

          Bethesda Elementary

        • Olivia Smith

          Chapman's Retreat Elementary

        • Rachel Biggs

          Clovercroft Elementary

        • Grace Hartman

          College Grove Elementary

        • Kelli Iverson

          Creekside Elementary

        • Stephanie Higgs

          Crockett Elementary

        • Kelley Anne Joyner

          Edmondson Elementary

        • Bonita Smith

          Fairview Elementary

        • Stacy Jennings

          Grassland Elementary

        • Diana Wedgewood

          Heritage Elementary

        • Lauren Hawks

          Hillsboro School (K-5)

        • Ruth Patton

          Hunters Bend Elementary

        • Katie Allen

          Jordan Elementary

        • Marie Lee

          Kenrose Elementary

        • Hailey Kornman

          Lipscomb Elementary

        • Kristi Ellison

          Longview Elementary

        • Kelley Sieja

          Mill Creek Elementary

        • Kara Matwijec

          Nolensville Elementary

        • Lauren Decker

          Oak View Elementary

        • Bill DePietro

          Pearre Creek Elementary

        • Chad Messmer

          Scales Elementary

        • Alyssa Earls

          Sunset Elementary

        • Danielle Bartelmay

          Thompson's Station Elementary

        • Miriam Camargo

          Trinity Elementary

        • Janet Taylor

          Walnut Grove Elementary

        • Frances McClanahan

          Westwood Elementary

        • Sherry Hintz

          Winstead Elementary

        Middle Schools

        • Claire Berg

          Brentwood Middle

        • Joe Sulateskee

          Fairview Middle

        • Susan Oldham

          Grassland Middle

        • Kara Hitchen

          Hillsboro School (6-8)

        • Linnett Vance

          Heritage Middle

        • Leigh Ann de Melo

          Legacy Middle

        • Latoya Howell

          Mill Creek Middle

        • Jessica Tarr

          Page Middle

        • Amy Smith

          Spring Station Middle

        • Kelley Bell

          Sunset Middle

        • Kris Schneider

          Thompson's Station Middle

        • Katie Fall

          Woodland Middle

        High Schools

        • Janice Nola

          Alternative Learning Center

        • Joe Blair

          Brentwood High

        • Claytan Bondy

          Centennial High

        • Laura Lowry

          Fairview High

        • Sherry Norton

          Franklin High

        • Matt Balzer

          Independence High

        • Emily Frisby

          Nolensville High

        • Sarah Sparks

          Page High

        • Lianne Haviland

          Ravenwood High

        • Vanessa Kohler

          Renaissance High

        • Drake Jackson

          Summit High

        • In addition to a Teacher of the Year, each school selected a Classified Employee of the Year. An Employee of the Year was also selected from each department in the district. Those winners will be announced in the near future, and all honorees will be celebrated during a virtual ceremony in the coming weeks.