Wallace Dillard, Columbia, Tennessee

The career-long contributions of Wallace A. Dillard are not captured in pictures or on the front page of newspapers.  The testimony of those who have met him can best describe Wallace A. Dillard.  It is estimated that Wallace Dillard has touched the lives of over 30,000 young people in his 50 years of teaching in public schools.  This influence has spread to many walks of life.  Mr. Dillard was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award for his school twice during his career.

Reba Hood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Mrs. Reba C. Hood epitomizes everything a teacher should be.  The mention of teaching a small child to read fills her with joy.  She is a teacher to all who know her.  Mrs. Hood credits her father who felt that there was no gift he could give her that was more important than a good education.  Having begun as a classroom teacher at the age of twenty, she was privileged to teach for 60 years.

                                     Mary Ann Matthews, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Mary Ann Matthews attended Martin Methodist College and graduated from MTSU with a Master’s degree in Education.  She taught school for thirty years in Lawrence County, Tennessee, serving as Elementary School teacher, Director of Exemplary Reading Program, and Supervisor of Instruction.  She was known for development of innovative methods and materials for the teaching of reading, and for demonstration teaching in the classroom.  She believed that every child could learn and that learning should be an exciting adventure for the student.  She believed in and encouraged teachers.

Emily Millsaps, Mountain City, Tennessee

Emily Grindstaff Millsaps was a devoted teacher for almost 52 years with all but one year being in Johnson County, her home county.  Her experience included K-6 teacher, assistant principal and principal.  She attended elementary and high school in Johnson County, Milligan College for two years, and began teaching in 1947.  She attended East Tennessee State University where she received her B.S. degree, her kindergarten certification, Master’s Degree and Master’s plus 45, earning certification in administration.  Since retirement in August, 1999, she has been volunteering as Pre-School Director at First Baptist Church where she is continuing the work she loves.

Lucille Nabors, Brentwood, Tennessee

Lucille Nabors’ lifelong commitment to education is evidenced in her roles as classroom teacher, administrative positions with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, and her leadership in local and state teacher organizations.  Mrs. Nabors was the 1992 TASSA Administrator of the Year and 1987 MNEOP Administrator of the Year.  Since retirement, she has continued to hold many leadership positions in community organizations.