Pictured above – The Rotary Club of Cookeville recognized teachers in the Putnam County School System with the Excellence in Teaching awards. Posing for a photo at a recent Rotary meeting were (front row, from left) Elisha Cade, Algood Elementary; Jenny Elrod, Monterey High School; Renee Beaty, Prescott South Elementary; Rachel Pruett, Sycamore Elementary; Brianna Pierce, Burks Elementary; Kristin Harpe, Baxter Primary; Myra Jane Norrod, Cornerstone Elementary; Tasha Walker, Vital; Kelly Davis, Prescott South Middle; Maranda White, Park View Elementary; (back row, from left) Phillip Baker, Excellence in Teaching Coordinator; Ryan Dalton, Avery Trace Middle School; Kyle Netherton, Upperman Middle School; Jared West, Cane Creek Elementary; Janna Shope, Capshaw Elementary; Christy Lee, Jere Whitson Elementary; Layne Bussell, Algood Middle School; Alan Asberry, Upperman High School; Kyle Rivers, White Plains Academy; Jennifer Williams, Cookeville High School; Mike Glass, Rotary President. Not pictured is Devon Hauck, Northeast Elementary.
Through an application and essay process, a teacher from each school in the Putnam County School System was honored
Putnam County – The Rotary Club of Cookeville recently recognized teachers across Putnam County with the Excellence in Teaching awards. Through an application and essay process, a teacher from each school in the Putnam County School System was honored for their efforts during the 2022-2023 school year.
“The Rotary Club is an outstanding community partner with the Putnam County School System,” said PCSS Director Corby King. “We appreciate all of the support and encouragement the club provides to our schools in general, and especially our students and faculty members. The annual Rotary Excellence in Teaching Award is a tremendous honor for our teachers and one that is cherished by all who receive it.”
Rotary winner – Tasha Walker, a seventh and eighth-grade science and biology teacher in the Future Ready Vital program, landed first place in the Rotary Club of Cookeville’s Excellence in Teaching awards.
Tasha Walker, a seventh and eighth-grade science and biology teacher in the Future Ready Vital program, landed the first place award while Cornerstone teacher Myra Jane Norrod earned second place and Baxter Primary School teacher Kristin Brown Harpe earned the third place award.
“Teaching is not easy and when you have done it for a couple of decades, one might start to question one’s effectiveness,” said Walker. “Winning reminded me that I am making a difference, all my hard work is worth it, and others believe in me as I believe in my students.”
Walker, who has been teaching in the PCSS for six years, said that earning the first-place award was both amazing and shocking all at the same time.
Rotary 2nd and 3rd place – Cornerstone teacher Myra Jane Norrod (second from left), pictured with Cornerstone principal Tammie Hoover (far left), earned second place while Baxter Primary School teacher, Kristin Brown Harpe (far right), pictured with BPS principal Marsha Wyatt (second from right), earned third place in the Rotary Excellence in Teaching awards.
“It felt fantastic to be on the other side of the desk,” said Walker. “I was noticed, recognized and valued. In the end, what meant the most is that I represented my VITAL family well because I wouldn’t be the teacher I am without the support of my coworkers and administration.”
