Graham County Schools names teachers of the year
Robbinsville – Three Graham County Schools educators have been named the best of the 2020-21 school year.
In June, Graham County Schools announced its three teachers of the year, as picked by their peers and district leadership.
One educator is selected from each school with this year’s honorees being Robbinsville Elementary School art teacher Lynn Lynn, Robbinsville Middle School science teacher Becky Brock and Robbinsville High School English teacher Brittany Tincher.
All three have worked in education for several years, with Brock having 25 years in the classroom under her belt, including six years as an assistant while earning her teaching degree.
“I really love teaching and what I do, and it’s good to be recognized, but that’s not why I do it,” Brock said. “I think all of us work really hard.”
Brock said one of her favorite parts of the job was having the opportunity to get to know her students.
“I love building relationships with the kids,” she said. “That’s the coolest thing.”
Tincher – who has taught at Robbinsville High School for nine years – also said building relationships was one of the best parts of the job.
“I enjoy the relationships I have made as a teacher, and both with my students and colleagues,” Tincher said. “The sense of community at our school is unique and I consider my colleagues to be close friends. I enjoy following my students lives once they graduate and I feel very proud to see them succeed.”
Tincher said she was not expecting the honor. She felt many people were more deserving of it than she was.
“‘I feel like I have a long way to go as a teacher,” she said. “There is always so much to learn about and improve, but this honor means so much to me.”
Lynn – who has taught art at Robbinsville Elementary School for the past decade – first worked as a designer for Stanley.
“I was beyond elated that my coworkers thought that much of me,” Lynn said. “It was very honoring.”
After first attaining a degree in art and becoming a mother, Lynn’s love of children drew her to the classroom.
“I went online and got my master’s degree and applied when this job came open to be an art teacher,” Lynn said.
She said that as an art teacher, she was able to help students learn visually and understand concepts in ways other subjects could not.
“I love seeing that, when I can see kids actually understand things when I can teach it to them through art,” Lynn said. “I love that part of it. “Just letting them be creative, I love seeing them happy. Art makes them happy.”
Tincher said that she had been able to learn from many great educators through her time as a teacher. She also listed compassion as the most important quality for an educator to have.
“We never know what someone else may be going through, and even the smallest mark or action can leave a permanent mark for better or worse,” Tincher said. “The encouragement I received from my teachers, for example, made all the difference in the world.
“I wanted to help young people the same way they helped me.”
All three honorees said that while they were excited to receive the honor, there were many other deserving educators, particularly as the district continues to deal with COVID-19.
“I think everybody deserved to get Teacher of the Year this year,” Brock said.