Vicky Hawker’s Passion for Teaching Spans 40 Years (VIEW VIDEO HERE)

February 27, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Second in series of five stories. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Almost 40 years ago Vicky Hawker embarked on a career path that she has thoroughly loved and enjoyed and today her passion for teaching is just as strong as when she began.

Hawker is this year’s Teacher of the Year at Smithville Elementary School and she is among four other educators being considered for DeKalb County Teacher of the Year.

IMG_4402 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Born and raised in DeKalb County, Hawker was educated in the school system here from first grade to high school and then went on to college where she earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and an Education Specialist (EdS) degree from MTSU.

Although she has changed classrooms three times, Hawker has taught at the same school her entire career working with first graders. “I teach reading, math, spelling, phonics, language, writing, and we combine science and social studies in with the reading,” she said.

Although changes in teaching methods and standards have come along the way, Hawker said she has been able to adapt. “Teaching has been more challenging in the last 10 years with the new technology, report cards, evaluations, and portfolios but I still love teaching and I love the kids,” she said.

Asked how she reacted to having been named Teacher of the Year at Smithville Elementary, Hawker said “I was really excited that my peers voted for me. That was a great honor”.

And if she were to be selected as the DeKalb County Teacher of the Year, Hawker said that would be even more special. “It’s already been great to be selected at the school level but for DeKalb County that would be really awesome,” added Hawker.

When she began her career, Hawker said her goal was to teach for at least 40 years but don’t look for her to retire anytime soon. “ I am not thinking about it right now. I haven’t decided to go yet,” concluded Hawker.

In addition to Hawker, this year’s honorees are Justin Nokes, seventh grade World History teacher at DeKalb Middle School; fifth grade teacher Cheryl Vandagriff at Northside Elementary School; Jessica Antoniak, a sixth grade math and science teacher at DeKalb West School; and Linda Parris, a family and consumer sciences/culinary arts teacher at DeKalb County High School.

WJLE will be featuring each of the five Teachers of the Year at the school level through next Tuesday. A feature on Justin Nokes aleady appears further down this page under local news.

First Story in this Series

February 27, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Lady Tigers are in the hunt for a Region Tournament Championship and they can get it with a win tonight (Wednesday) over 4^th ranked Macon County.

The Lady Tigers (22-10) and Macon County (28-5) will do battle starting at 7:00 p.m. at Cumberland County High School in Crossville. WJLE will have LIVE coverage with the Voice of the Lady Tigers John Pryor. Listen to the game following Tiger Talk at 6:45 p.m. as Pryor interviews Coach Danny Fish and Lady Tiger Maddison Parsley.

IMG_4465 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

It’s been 35 years since the Lady Tiger program has earned a ticket to the sub-state but win or lose tonight, DeKalb County is in and a win against Macon County would mean hosting a sub-state game Saturday night, March 2. A loss and the Lady Tigers would have to make a road trip for the sub-state Saturday night.

After taking down two basketball giants in a row in Cumberland County and Upperman in the tournament, the Lady Tigers will perhaps have their toughest test yet against Macon County tonight. DeKalb County is 0-2 against Macon County this season having lost 61 to 36 in Lafayette on January 11 and 63 to 32 in Smithville on February 5.

“They (Macon County) are very good. We have to slow them down. We have a couple of matchup problems. They have the most valuable player in the district on their team Keely Carter. She has been very good this year but Jalynn Gregory is just as good. She gives us a matchup problem with her length and Abby Shoulders is kind of a motor for them. We’re going to need some things going right for us but Macon County will need some things going right for them too because we’re playing pretty well right now and as well as we’ve played all year. We’re peaking at the right time so I am hoping and expecting us to play really well and give ourselves a chance to come back here and host the sub-state,” said Coach Fish.

February 27, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A prisoner at the DeKalb County Jail has been charged with bringing contraband into the facility and assault for biting a correctional officer.

20 year old Sy James Gohs of Foster Road, Dowelltown is under a bond of $11,500 and his next court date is March 7.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Tuesday, February 19 Gohs intentionally bit a correctional officer on the right knee during an altercation at the jail. He also had a shank where prisoners are housed.

54 year old Jack Davis Taylor of New Home Road, Dowelltown is charged with domestic assault. His bond is $3,500 and he will make a court appearance on March 7

Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday February 21 a deputy was called to a residence on New Home Road due to a physical domestic. Upon arrival he spoke with a woman who said that Taylor had assaulted her with his fist in the back of her head causing visible red marks. He also struck her in the forehead causing a small mark which began to bleed. The woman said she and Taylor were in a relationship and lived together.

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