Educator of the Week: Michele Ownby

It’s time now to recognize our Educator of the Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Education Lottery.

Michele Ownby is a first grade teacher at Milan Elementary School.

Her favorite part of being an educator is seeing the children light up when they learn a skill that she has taught them.

Ownby chose to become a teacher because she has always loved children and wanted to help them.

“Teaching them to read is such an important skill that they will use for the rest of their lives, so that’s what I want to do, I want to make a difference in these children’s lives,” Ownby said.

This is now Ownby’s 31st year teaching.

She says her current students love learning and that she loves teaching them.

“This is a great group of kids that I’ve got and they make coming to school enjoyable for me,” said Ownby.

Though Ownby admits that some skills are more difficult than others, she tries to make all parts of learning enjoyable.

“I just want to make learning fun, make it interesting for the kids so that they can carry that throughout their lifetime,” she said.

Another fun part of Ownby’s class is the use of nicknames.

“Everybody, just about, gets a nickname in my class, and that’s what they love for me to call them, by their nickname,” she said. “It just sticks with them. I still have a group of kids that I still call them their nicknames from years ago.”

Ownby is very thankful for her nomination.

“Beyond thrilled, super excited, had no clue but thank you to whoever nominated me. I really do truly appreciate it.”

To vote for her or any other nominees, go to the Tennessee Education Lottery website.

To nominate an educator for our Educator of the Week award, email us at educator@wbbjtv.com.