Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Week: Molene Murphy
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Molene Murphy teaches 4th grade math at Jackson Career and Technology Elementary School and has been an educator for 16 years. This West Tennessee native grew up in Denmark and says her grandmother inspired her to teach. “I have so many cousins. We have a large family,” Murphy said. “My grandmother used to always say ‘she is so bossy, she is going to be a teacher one day.’ She just says I take charge.” Murphy said she likes to make her classroom bright and happy to stimulate learning. “The first thing I do is make sure the environment is positive, inviting, colorful, because I think if the children are happy, more learning is going to take place.” She said she engages her students with every lesson so they can reach their highest potential. “I try to do hands-on activities every single day,” Murphy said. “Even if it’s just a simple card with the numbers on it. If they’re touching something, feeling something — I try to get their learning styles involved.”
The person who nominated Murphy says her class is lively and energetic. There is no time for misbehavior. “The children say I’m one of the funnest teachers they’ve ever had because I sing, I do chants, I just make things up off the top of my head. I think that’s kind of what gets them engaged and holds their attention.” Murphy says her favorite part about teaching is when her students grasp the material. “Even though I might have to re-teach and re-teach and re-teach, when that light bulb goes off and they say ‘I got it Mrs. Murphy,’ it just makes my day.” Murphy will now be eligible for the statewide Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award. To vote for her or any of the other nominees, go to seehowitaddsup.com. To nominate a teacher for the WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News weekly award, email educator@wbbjtv.com.
