'Ah-ha moments' motivate latest FNB Teacher of the Week

Allison Perry, a second-grade teacher at Bobby Ray Memorial, is the Main Street Journal’s First National Bank Teacher of the Week after earning eight votes in the eighth week of the contest.

A total of 227 votes were cast this week in the county-wide poll. Heather Williamson, a fourth-grade teacher at Irving College, finished one vote behind Perry with seven.

“I’m so excited and honored,” Perry said.

This is Perry’s first year teaching. A McMinnville native, she earned an associate of science in teaching from Motlow State Community College before transferring to Tennessee Tech. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in May.

Perry said she first realized she wanted to become a teacher when she was in first grade at Hickory Creek. Her teacher, Stephanie Ward, made a lasting impression with classroom activities such as making pumpkin pancakes and putting on a play about the first Thanksgiving.

Perry also credited her student-teaching mentor, Danielle Blaylock, a previous Teacher of the Week winner, with helping prepare her for the profession.

“She genuinely taught me about the ups and downs of teaching and has become a close friend and teammate,” Perry said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.”

For Perry, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is seeing students’ confidence grow.

“Seeing the ‘ah-ha’ moments when something finally clicks with a student has to be one of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher,” she said. “Watching students go from quiet and timid to confident in their abilities makes all the hard days worth it.”

Perry’s daughter, Salem, is 6 months old. She was born eight days before Perry walked across the stage at Tennessee Tech. Perry was pregnant throughout her student teaching and worked until the day before Salem was born.

“Having her has pushed me not only to be a good mom, but I bring that into the classroom and push myself to be the best teacher I can be,” Perry said. “I care for my students like they’re my own kids and can’t wait to see how far each of them go in life.”

The Teacher of the Week contest is presented by First National Bank of Middle Tennessee, with support from Smooth Rapids, Diamond Jewelry Company, Phillips Sales and Service and Graves Family Pharmacy. Weekly winners are removed from subsequent ballots and become eligible for the Teacher of the Year contest in the spring.

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