09/11/09 - Hardin County
This week's Tennessee Education Lottery
Educator of the Week is a testament to longevity and patience in
the classroom.
For 36 years, Joan Thompson has taught at North
Savannah Elementary School in Hardin County. 26 of those
years have been in the first grade.
"This is the grade in which I see my students growing so much," Thompson said. "The little knowledge I have I see them absorbing it, so I like that."
Thompson said that even after three and a half decades in the classroom, she is still being educated. "What I've learned is to have patience, to love and to not sweat the little things," Thompson said. "Just go with the flow, kids are good at that."
That laid back approach is one factor that
Thompson attributes to her longevity, not only in a long-lasting
career, but one that has taken place under one roof at North
Savannah.
"This is the only school I've ever been in," Thompson
said. "I think it's the best one, we got great schools in the
community, but I have a special place for North."