Vickie Hatfield is Eagle Tire Pros educator of the week

By Charlotte Underwood 

DUFF, TN (WLAF) – Teachers make a difference in their students lives each and every day. For many students, having a teacher who cares and goes that extra mile can be the difference in a successful education and graduation. We’ve all had that teacher who inspired us or helped in some way. That’s why WLAF and Eagle Tire Pros salute all of our hard working educators with a weekly feature.

This week’s featured educator is Vickie Hatfield. She is a teaching assistant at White Oak School for kindergarten, first and second graders. 

Hatfield has been an educator for 30 years, with about 25 of those at White Oak. Previously, she also worked at Jacksboro Elementary School for about five years. 

She has been married to her husband Lloyd Hatfield for 49 years and together, they have one son, Christopher Hatfield. 

Hobbies she enjoys includes canning, reading books and working puzzles.

According to Hatfield, she “has always enjoyed being around kids,” and was also inspired to become an educator by her sister Debbie Loveday.

“My sister was a teacher and a principal and worked at several schools, including LaFollette Elementary and Jellico Elementary. She helped inspire me; she was a good one,” Hatfield said.

She also had several teachers while she was in school to inspire her. 

“The main one that comes to mind was Kenneth Johnson; he was my typing teacher, and he was a good teacher,” Hatfield said.

Her favorite part of the job is “working with the children and my teachers that I assist,” Hatfield said.

She said she loves working with the younger children and has spent her 30 year career working with that age range.

“I call them my babies. They get so excited when they learn their ABC’s and their words; all kids need is a little encouragement,” Hatfield said.

Every Thursday, WLAF’s Charlotte Underwood features the WLAF – Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week. That educator also receives a free oil change from Eagle Tire Pros. To nominate a teacher for teacher of the week honors, please send your nomination to  wlaf@1450wlaf.com (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/13/2023-6AM)