Two Tennessee teachers were surprised Wednesday when Nina Wood, Ed.D., of Hendersonville High and Michael Smith of Coalfield School each won a $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award, an award neither had heard of before.
“I was shocked. The teacher sitting next to me had to tell me to get up. It still seems very unreal,” Wood said of the surprise.
The award is given annually in 48 states and is kept a surprise right up to the school-wide award presentation assembly to discuss “Gateway test scores.” The foundation’s Web site said winners are picked by an election committee chosen by the state’s department of education, and they base their decisions on instructional practices, student achievements, teacher’s outside educational accomplishments, potential and presence that impacts students, colleagues and the community.
Wood said she started the Model U.N. at her school, sponsors the school’s paper The Commando Post, which is the longest continually published school newspaper in Sumner County.
It has won several awards from the Middle Tennessee Student Press Association. She also coordinates a sister school program with Katsura High School in Tsuru, Japan and led her group of student ambassadors to visit Katsura last year. She was named the 2003-2004 Sumner County teacher of the year.
Smith said he teaches all but one of the high school’s sciences, including a scientific research course during his planning period, started the school’s science club, is a member of the Emory River Watershed Association for conservation, does research at ORNL during the summer and has sponsored other activities and events in the community.
Both teachers said the best part of teaching is the interaction with students.
“Knowing that something that we do will stay with (the students) for the rest of their lives … that’s about the greatest thing. It’s very rewarding,” Smith said.
“A good school atmosphere makes people be much better teachers,” Wood said.
Both Smith and Wood said they were grateful to their respective school systems and to their fellow teachers.
Wood and Smith shared some advice for future teachers.
“My parents always taught me to do what you love, and you will be happy. Teaching is not just a science — it is an art. Not everyone can do it and enjoy it. Remember that when kids are hard to deal with it is almost always something else going on … look below the surface and a lot of problems can be handled,” Wood said.
“A lot of (school) systems don’t have much money, but if you work hard you can find resources to help your teaching,” Smith advised.
