JMCSS hosts annual Teacher of the Year Luncheon

JACKSON, Tenn. — All 26 district leaders and staff gather together to celebrate the work that teachers do in the Jackson-Madison County School System.

The annual Teacher of The Year Luncheon is held at the end of the school year to recognize the educators who go above and beyond in the Jackson-Madison County School System.

“Just to give honor where honor is due. It is definitely due to our teachers who are out there, boots on the ground everyday, serving our students and pouring out the hearts and passion for the work that they do. And, so, Just to have a moment where we sit down and we have a luncheon and we celebrate them and show love it means everything,” said Dr. Tiffany Spight, chief academic officer.

Each school has a system for how they vote for teacher of the year, but it’s contingent on their peers’ evaluation of them based off their actions with students, in the classroom, and throughout the overall school year.

“The teacher matters and teachers are so important to the success of our students so we really want to celebrate them all the time,” said Dr. Vivian Williams, deputy superintendent of academics.

The 2023-2024 teacher of the year is Ann Thompkins, 5th grade East Elementary teacher.

She tells us what this moment means to her.

“I’m very excited and I’m just looking forward now to another school year, and I would just want to thank all my East family for supporting me, and my principal– which I’m really going to miss next year, but I know that we’ll be okay,” said Thompkins.

The appreciation for educators does not go unnoticed here in the Hub City, as their leadership impacts generations in many ways that prepare them for the future.

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