Rutherford County Schools announces 2021-2022 Teachers of the Year

When Jessica Pinson was told she would be the high school choice for district-level Teacher of the Year, she was surprised.

She also felt undeserving.

“Simply because if I look at my department, or the rest of the faculty, I don’t deserve it any more than they do,” explained Pinson, a teacher at Central Magnet School. “I have watched them pour countless hours into troubleshooting and adapting lessons for kids in such a challenging year. We’re all doing it.”

Pinson’s love for her content is absolute. After deciding to minor in Spanish in college, Pinson attended a study abroad where she says teaching wasn’t even on her radar. She just loved the challenge of learning a new language.

Now she shares that love with her students.

“At this point in the year you start to see things click with kids – I’m so lucky to be able to teach them,” Pinson said.

Pinson, along with 50 other Rutherford County teachers, will be honored with a reception for the 2021-2022 Teachers of the Year on April 28 at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro. The pandemic has prevented the school district from hosting an in-person Teachers of the Year event the past two years.

Kaitlyn Benavides, of Rocky Fork Middle School, is another of the honorees.

She has been named the middle-level choice for Teacher of the Year and sees it as a chance to shine a light on what librarians do. As she works alongside many different content areas and grade levels, one of her roles is increasing classroom engagement and innovating content, she said.

“I wanted to make sure people had a clear understanding of the role and how useful we are to the school community and culture,” Benavides said.

Benavides taught eighth grade for about seven years before transitioning to the role of librarian, all while coaching multiple sports. When Rocky Fork opened, the role was one she did not want to pass up.

“It’s so fun because every single day is dynamic and I get to be creative,” Benavides said. “I love the ability to support teachers with their content area standards — finding a way to make that interactive and dynamic.”

Benavides offers this as advice to those entering the teaching profession, or who are eager to enter a career in education.

“There are going to be challenges along the way, but always go back to the WHY. When facing a trial always keep that in mind. Truly believe — you are making an impact.”

Shannon Creekmore is the RCS elementary-level winner for Teacher of the Year.

She has taught for 14 years at Wilson Elementary. Initially, she thought kindergarten was her calling, but after her first year teaching third grade, decided to stay for 13 more.

“The community and the administration and the families have kept me here,” Creekmore said. “I have had siblings upon siblings in my classes. And it has been really great to make connections with families.”

Creekmore explained how she has always wanted to be a teacher, and how she feels that is where the Lord has placed her. When nominated, she received a surprise visit from many members of administration who have supported her.

“My principal burst into the room. My mentor was there as well as the RTI coaches and (Assistant Superintendent) Dr. (Jimmy) Sullivan. I had every kind of happy emotion. It was not anything I had ever expected. It was a great honor. Being a teacher for 15 years, especially for the last three years, this was just a very big affirming moment for me,” Creekmore said.

For teachers who may just be starting out, or who are looking for advice for next year, Creekmore gives this advice:

“Being a teacher is a calling. You must love what you do. Stick with it — there will be hard days and challenging days — remember why you chose to do what you do.”

The following is a complete of the 2021-2022 RCS Teachers of the Year:

• Barfield Elementary – Sheryl Evans
• Blackman Elementary – Tye McCleary
• Blackman High – Lauren Hutchins
• Blackman Middle – Sheila Almeda Panther
• Brown’s Chapel Elementary – Rebecca Kuchta
• Buchanan Elementary – Kortnee Carter
• Cedar Grove Elementary – Kathy Mosley
• Central Magnet – Jessica Pinson (Secondary-level winner)
• Christiana Elementary – Lora Vetter
• Christiana Middle – Carlie Littrell
• Daniel McKee – Sarah Long
• David Youree Elementary – Audra McLeod
• Eagleville School – Mary Alice Curtis
• Holloway High – Sheneka Macha Hernandez
• Homer Pittard Campus – Anne S. Mayes
• John Colemon Elementary – Myra Renea Elliott
• Kittrell Elementary – Rebecca Lynn Speck
• Lascassas Elementary Nicheala Allison
• LaVergne High – Dale Hudson
• LaVergne Lake – Melissa Natter
• LaVergne Middle – Brayan Bunyi
• McFadden – Jenny Copeland
• Oakland High – Carol Keener
• Oakland Middle – Elizabeth Sinor
• Plainview Elementary – Katelyn Hand
• RCS Virtual School – Laura L. Schlesinger
• Riverdale High – Kyle Hurt
• Rock Springs – Elementary Carla Derrick
• Rock Springs Middle – Nathaniel Morris
• Rockvale Elementary – Christy Steagall
• Rockvale High – Kimberly Kay Armstrong
• Rockvale Middle – Caitlyn Rae Brown
• Rocky Fork Elementary – Shameeka Edwards
• Rocky Fork Middle – Kaitlyn Benavides (Middle-level winner)
• Roy Waldron Elementary – Emily G. Faust
• Siegel High – Roger R. Alcendor
• Siegel Middle – Mary Hannah Hardiman
• Smyrna Elementary – Shelly Mangrum
• Smyrna High – Donald A. Trumphour
• Smyrna Middle – Jenny Kawano
• Smyrna Primary – Jesse Rutherford
• Smyrna West – Dana Renee Bennett
• Stewarts Creek Elementary – KaVitaLyles
• Stewarts Creek – High Emily Spears
• Stewarts Creek Middle – Allison Haley Glapa
• Stewartsboro Elementary – Brittany May
• Thurman Francis – Mary Jennifer Reeves
• Walter Hill Elementary – Molly Swann
• Whitworth-Buchanan Middle – Joshua Caleb Picklesimer
• Wilson Elementary – Shannon Marie Creekmore (Elementary-level winner)
• Principal of the Year – April Sneed, Whitworth-Buchanan Middle
• Supervisor of the Year – Mark Gullion, federal programs coordinator