A local teacher, Amanda Tutor at the Bartlett 9th Grade Academy, was among the nominees considered for the honor of 2019-20 Teacher of the Year.
Although ultimately not selected for the statewide honor (the winner this year was a Hamblen County teacher), Tutor draws respect from her students and professional colleagues.
She teaches visual art and photography at the Academy.
“What I’m offering students is a learning experience and not just lessons,” she said.
She recently focused an Art I course solely on photography. She found that her students ended up with more compassion and empathy for their fellow man after completing the course.
“There’s something special about her,” said Mary Frost, English 9 Honors teacher. “That class is the perk of her day. It’s just the energy that she brings to her class and the love to her students — for art, for them, for just encouraging them as well. It’s just amazing to watch.”
Tutor commented that high school freshmen need depth. They need to be asked to think and be challenged.
“It’s my job as an educator to make them think deeper, care deeper,” Tutor said. “The future of Tenneseans, if they go through this program, the more compassionate and empathetic adults we’ll have.”
