Sherri Brawner is Finalist For Teacher of the Year

GLEASON — Sherri Brawner, third grade teacher at Gleason Schools, is one of nine teachers in Tennessee vying for the distinction of Teacher of the Year. There are three finalist from each grand division of the state — West, Middle and East. Each now advances to the interview portion of competition in mid-June.

All nine finalists will attend a ceremony on August 23 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. At that time, three Grand Division Winners (one from each division) will be announced, and one of those three winners will be named as the Tennessee Teacher of the Year.

In December, 2023, Mrs. Brawner was recognized as the Weakley County Teacher of the Year for grades Pre-K-4.

The 2024-25 Tennessee Teacher of the Year will represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year competition and serve as an ambassador for education in the state throughout the school year. Missy Testerman was previously named 2023-24 Tennessee Teacher of the Year and 2024 National Teacher of the Year.

Tennessee’s nine finalists for the 2024-25 Teacher of the Year are: 

Jenny Kiesel — Lakeland Preparatory School (Lakeland Schools).

Ellie Lee — Smyrna Middle School (Rutherford County Schools).

Kylene Raper — Athens City Primary School and Athens City Intermediate School (Athens City Schools).

Lee Lynn Campbell — Toone Elementary School (Hardeman County Schools).

Niki Tuten — Bel-Aire Elementary School (Tullahoma City Schools).

Natalee Elkins — Holston Middle School (Knox County Schools).

Sherri Brawner — Gleason School (Gleason — Weakley County Schools).

Kaity Castleman — Hickory Creek Elementary School (Warren County Schools).

Bryan Kerns — Dobyns-Bennett High School (Kingsport City Schools).