This week's Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Week is not even through with his own education.

Robert Sparks, a seventh grade reading and English teacher at West Middle School in West Madison County, is currently pursuing his Master's degree in education from Union University.

Sparks just started teaching in his second year at West Middle. After a year with teaching eighth graders, he said his transition to teaching seventh grade has gone well. Despite being a young teacher, he has wasted little time in trying to motivate his students to love learning.

"When I see a student get something, or understand something, or really enjoy learning something new that is rewarding for me," Sparks said. "That's what another teacher did for me. Helped me to see the fun and the reward of learning."

Sparks said it was that same teacher that influenced his career path. "My senior English class I had a teacher that really inspired me about literature, reading and writing," Sparks said. "When I left that class I had the idea in my head that maybe someday, I might be a teacher and do that for other students."

Getting a head start on his career, Sparks appeared eager to pass on his knowledge to his students. He has appeared to have made the adjustment to being on the other side of the desk. "It's been hard, it's been challenging," Sparks said. "I'm tired at the end of a lot of days, but it's a very rewarding job and I love working with the students."