Teachers who inspire their students - and their colleagues - gathered Tuesday night for the Buncombe County Schools Teacher of the Year Celebration.
The event celebrates Teachers of the Year from all 45 schools, including seven BCS district finalists. The celebration included the debut of a video inside those district teachers’ classrooms. Its final scene comes from Enka Middle School, where teacher Martha Tallent was surprised in June with news that she was the Buncombe County Schools Teacher of the Year.
“I have to read the trophy to make sure it’s really my name on it,” Ms. Tallent said as she accepted her trophy at the dinner. “After seeing all the teachers in that video and being in this room with all the incredible teachers here tonight, I’m truly honored. It is a privilege to inspire the love of learning in our students, and I celebrate all the great educators tonight.”
HomeTrust Bank and the Buncombe County Schools Foundation awarded Ms. Tallent with a check for $2,000. She now moves on to compete for Western Region Teacher of the Year.
Louise Hall of West Buncombe Elementary was announced as the winner of the Ruth Henderson Award. The late Ruth Henderson was a beloved English and Business teacher at Erwin High School. Each year, the Teacher of the Year committee presents this award to a teacher who is community minded, altruistic, and carries on Ruth Henderson’s passion for teaching.
“I’m in shock right now,” Ms. Hall said as she accepted the award. “I’m very thankful that I get to do what I love, and be with my kids every day.”
The Buncombe County Schools Foundation presented Ms. Hall with a check for $500.
“This is one of my favorite nights of the year,” shared BCS Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson. “This is an amazing group of educators. I love that we’re all here together with their loved ones and principals, celebrating the great work that happens in their classrooms with all our students, from our youngest learners to our soon-to-be graduates.”
The Enka High School Orchestra opened the evening with live dinner music for the guests, and members of Erwin High School’s FCCLA helped serve dinner to guests. WLOS-TV Chief Meteorologist Jason Boyer returned as the celebration’s emcee.
Special thanks to the Buncombe County Schools Foundation, HomeTrust Bank, A-B Tech, Smokey and the Pig, Becky’s Florist, and Ingles Markets for making the event possible.
Click this link to see more pictures from the BCS Teacher of the Year Celebration.