Scotts Hill High Teacher Named 2008 “Tennessee Star”

Each year, one teacher from the state of Tennessee is chosen from thousands of nominees as the “American Star of Teaching” by the U.S. Department of Education.In 2008, the “Tennessee Star” is Scotts Hill High School English teacher Kay Hart, a 29-year veteran.“All my life I wanted to be a teacher...I want you to want to come to my classroom,” a tearful Hart told the assembly audience at SHHS Thursday.The award had been kept secret from the SHHS students and teachers prior to the school-wide assembly. When the announcement was made, their excitement burst out in applause and respectful shouts.“It’s a good news story for the whole school,” said Carolyn Snowbarger, Director of the Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative with the U.S. Department of Education. “...When you think of heroes, you may think of superheroes. Well, there are heroes around us today.”Principal Brian Norton may have been the only one in on the secret.“I’ve never observed you taking for granted the power of being a teacher,” he said to Hart and the assembly. “It’s evident you’ve affected so many people. It’s evident by the number who come back to visit you. You make English and Drama fun. Your as excited today as you were when you began.” Students Bethany Reed and Mary Beth Helms spoke of the love and friendship that become a part of being a student of Mrs. Hart.It is the fourth year that the U.S. Department of Education has recognized American Stars of Teaching, spotlighting some of the nation’s most highly effective teachers and honoring these important professionals working hard for students.The American Stars of Teaching are teachers who are improving student achievement, increasing opportunities for students and using innovative strategies to make a difference in the lives of students.A selecting committee comprised of former K-12 teachers who now work for the U.S. Department of Education reviewed over 5,000 nominations.In addition to English, Hart teaches creative writing and theater arts. She was named Scotts Hill High School Teacher of the Year in 2006 and was a finalist for the Tennessee Department of Education Teacher of the Year in 2007. She said she had taught over 2,000 students in her 29 years.“I’m proud to be at Scotts Hill High School,” she said.

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