Educator of the Week: Laboris Weddle

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

Laboris Weddle is a special education teacher at North Parkway Middle School.

He shares how the Hope Scholarship was what gave him the resources to finish school and become a teacher.

“Hope Scholarship means everything to me. Starting off like I said, went to Jackson State. Hope Scholarship money put money in my pockets where I could be able to afford things like books and eventually it followed me to Middle Tennessee. Hope means everything to me,” said Weddle.

Weddle says he is from a family of educators and always wanted to follow in their footsteps.

“I grew up in a family where education meant everything.  We’re three generations of teachers. [I] started off in the construction world, thought it was a way I could come back and give more to my community and decided to become a teacher,” said Weddle.

Weddle says being involved with his students development is his favorite part of the job.

“Just changing young students’ lives, being a good influence, being somebody they could depend on, somebody [they] could come always talk to,” said Weddle.

Weddle ends by telling us about an experience he had with a past student that meant a lot to him.

“Most recently I was at North Park and I was just spending some time with my family. Had some students approach me and say ‘Coach, if it weren’t for you, I might not would have graduated.’ I think that really settled in on me–I made the right decision,” said Weddle.

Weddle is now eligible for the Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award.

To vote for him 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 wbbj-educator@graymedia.com.

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