Morgan names teachers, support staff of year
Teachers in Morgan County Schools were recently treated like royalty after being named elementary and secondary teachers of the year. The educators were surprised at their respective schools and treated to a ride in a limousine and lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse.
Jennifer Lane, who teaches fourth and fifth grade mathematics at Union Hill School, was named the district elementary Teacher of the Year this past week.
“I felt so honored to be chosen as the Morgan County Elementary Teacher of the Year,” Lane said. “I was totally surprised and overwhelmed with emotion when it was announced. I work with such amazing colleagues at Union Hill, as well as teachers all around the county. I still have a hard time comprehending that I was chosen for such an honorable award.”
Growing up in Franklin County, Lane has been a classroom teacher for 23 years in three states. She has been at Union Hill for the past three years.
“I want my students to remember me as the teacher that made a difference in their lives,” Lane added, saying she tries daily to “pour encouragement, education, and love into her students.
“I also want students to feel successful and realize that they can do hard things if they have the right mindset and put forth the hard work it takes to be successful,” she said. “I hope that my students (can) use the tools they’ve had in my classroom to continue to learn and grow throughout their lives as students and eventually as adults.”
Leslie Arterburn was named the secondary Teacher of the Year. Arterburn teaches Geometry and Algebra 1 at Danville High School, is an ACCESS facilitator and is the school’s swim coach. Arterburn has been teaching for 20 years, with 17 being at Danville.
Arterburn said she was shocked to be named Teacher of the Year.
“I couldn’t believe it and still have a hard time accepting it,” Arterburn said. “I am surrounded by outstanding coworkers who are much more deserving than me … However, I am honored to be recognized for this achievement.”
Arterburn’s own mother is who she credits as inspiration for her career in education.
“She was my math teacher when I was in seventh and eighth grade,” Arterburn said. “She made math fun and easy to learn by showing us shortcuts and tricks. She had helped me with math homework all through elementary, but it was not until I was in her classroom that I really started enjoying math.”
Arterburn said she believes her students will remember her as the teacher who always made them try to think about math problems in different ways and allowed them to choose a method that worked best for them.
“I always hope my students leave my classroom at the end of the year with a stronger confidence in solving problems than the first day of school,” she added.
Additionally, Charlie Wilbourn was named staff member of the year. Wilbourn rode down the hallway of Danville Middle School to cheers and high fives from students. He has been the head custodian at Danville Middle School since 2022.
