Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Week: Cathy Tyson

SAVANNAH, Tenn. — Cathy Tyson is the choral director and drama teacher at Hardin County High School. “My day is typically full of the arts,” Tyson said. “Drama and music all the way around.”

Performing has always been her passion, and she says it was a college professor who sparked the idea to teach.

“I was so animated and could put material across to the students and thought that I could motivate and I was so enthusiastic,” Tyson said. “He said, ‘you would be a great teacher. You could still perform as well.'”

Tyson said she likes to push her students toward their strongest points and finds ways to encourage even the shyest students.

“Through music and through my encouragement a lot of times they tend to find their way and their path in life,” Tyson said.

“I think that’s the thing I really love about teaching, is seeing them grow and really moving on in life.”

This Mississippi native moved to West Tennessee to be closer to her husband’s family and says she couldn’t imaging working anywhere else.

“I felt like I could really grow here and I could be who I needed to be for these students.”

Tyson will now be eligible for the statewide Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award. Starting in April, to vote for her or any of the other nominees visit seehowitaddsup.com.

To nominate a teacher for our weekly award, email us at educator@wbbjtv.com.