TPAC is proud to honor excellence in education with our Teacher of the Year award. Each year, we accept applications from teachers who participate in our education programs and connect their students to the arts. The award includes a $1,000 grant for the recipient’s school and is presented in the spring.
Applications for TPAC Teacher of the Year are open. We were unable to give this distinction last year, but thanks to Synovus Bank and their generous donation, we now can award recipients for both years.
- To apply for this year’s Teacher of the Year, please fill out the 2021-22 application.
- To apply for last year’s Teacher of the Year, please fill out the 2020-21 application.
- Teachers who worked with us both years may fill out both applications.
Read about TPAC’s 2019-20 Teacher of the Year, Joy Patton , who uses the arts to inspire her students and build their confidence. She encourages her students to express themselves and find their own creative voice, ending each of her classes with the same phrase, “your words matter.”
Past Recipients
| Adam Prouty | Warner Elementary Arts Magnet | 2018-19 |
| Miya Robertson | Gower Elementary School | 2017-18 |
| Caroline Sharp | William Henry Oliver Middle School | 2016-17 |
| Allison Brazzel | Glencliff High School | 2015-16 |
| April Gunter | Oakland High School | 2014-15 |
| Nelda Sturgeon | Robertson Academy | 2013-14 |
| Debbie Shannon | Lighthouse Christian School | 2012-13 |
| Lauri Kaye Burns | Spring Hill High School | 2011-12 |
| Kenneth King | Hume-Fogg High School | 2010-11 |
| William Mann | Seigel High School | 2009-10 |
| Meghen Sanders | Stratford High School | 2008-09 |
| Rita Read | East Robertson High School | 2007-08 |
| Elaine Hoffert | Northeast High School | 2006-07 |
| Kim Howard | Merrol Hyde Magnet School | 2005-06 |
| Paul E. Smethers | Beech High School | 2004-05 |
| Dr. Pat Clark | Alcoa High School | 2003-04 |
| John Shuler | Jones Paideia Magnet School | 2002-03 |
| Lynn Colvin | Springfield High School | 2001-02 |
| Lois McGonigal | Blackman High School | 2000-01 |
| Natalie Camp | Sequatchie County High School | 1999-00 |
| Josie McCamish | Riverdale and Smyrna High Schools, Gifted Education | 1998-99 |
| Sandra Joyner | Franklin High School | 1997-98 |
| Jaque Scarborough | Beech High School | 1996-97 |
| Vicki Keith | Santa Fe School | 1995-96 |
| Marva Nettles | Page Middle School | 1994-95 |