Rogersville students, staff proud of National Teacher of the Year
ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Colleagues and students of Rogersville teacher Missy Testerman knew she had made finalist for National Teacher of the Year, but Testerman had to keep it a secret that she had won as she traveled to New York City for the announcement Wednesday morning.
Students and staff gathered in the gymnasium to hear the announcement.
One of Testerman’s former students, Clara Elkins, could feel the anticipation in the room for the announcement.
“I had that feeling that she was going to win,” Elkins said. “I knew it.”
And then the moment came when CBS Mornings announced Testerman as 2024’s National Teacher of the Year.
“The room just erupted,” said STEM and instructional technology teacher Jennifer Ewing.
“Most of the teachers were crying,” Elkins said.
“They were all just cheering and excited,” Ewing said.
After the announcement, Testerman received tons of texts of congratulations. She said she’s incredibly honored by the experience.
“There’s so many dedicated, passionate teachers in my own school, much less across the state of Tennessee, and across this entire country,” said Testerman. “So, to have been chosen to be the teacher that gets to advocate for all of those teachers and students for the next year is amazing.”
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Testerman teaches English as a second language (ESL) at Rogersville City School.
For her colleagues and students like fourth-grade social studies teacher Renee Trent, Testerman was the best fit.
“There is no one more deserving of this than her,” Trent said. “There’s no one that truly loves children like she does and wants to see them in this school and this community be the best that they can be, and is willing to go to whatever length to make that happen.”
Trent has worked with Testerman at Rogersville City School for over 30 years and has known her since high school. Trent said describing Testerman as having a passion for teaching is an understatement. She has asked Testerman to help her with teaching the importance of the Civil War to a non-speaking person, and Testerman returns ideas ready and eager to work with her on them.
Ewing said Testerman is what got her interested in education. Testerman taught her son and said Testerman has been teacher of the year at her house for a long time.
“Just the way that [Testerman] taught was a different take on what I had seen teachers do before,” Ewing said. “I think, just in general, that she’s an inspiring person, just her approach to teaching. But, also, the way she does everything in her life.”
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Director of Schools Edwin Jarnagin said this process has been a whirlwind, and the school couldn’t be more proud.
“It’s been exciting for us,” Jarnagin said. “It’s Rogersville City School, one school in the school system, and she’s been a vital part of it.”
“It is in our little speck of a city in the hills of East Tennessee, and it is a big honor,” Trent said. “We are so proud for her. We’re so proud for our community to get this recognition.”
As the newly named National Teacher of the Year, Testerman will now take a year off teaching to travel across the country as an advocate for students and issues in the teaching profession. People in this position have spoken at more than 150 events.
“I want to empower teachers to use their voice,” Testerman said. “They are the experts in our classroom. They know what our students need. They know what our challenges are.”
Jarnagin said the school plans to hold a celebration dinner to honor Testerman when she returns home.
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