By Charlotte Underwood   

PIONEER, TN (WLAF) – Elk Valley’s Mary Beth Seiber is WLAF’s teacher of the week. She teaches seventh and eighth grade English Language Arts and Social Studies. This is her seventh year as an educator. 

Elk Valley’s Mary Beth Seiber is WLAF’s teacher of the week. She is pictured here with her family Tim, Claire and Mason.

Seiber said she was inspired to follow a teaching career because of “all the wonderful” educators she had growing up in Campbell County.

“I started out at Valley View, and I just loved all my teachers; couldn’t pick a favorite if I had to. It was the same with high school, they were all great,” Seiber said. Then while she was getting her Associates degree, she began substitute teaching “to fill in the gaps and just really loved it.” This inspired her to continue her education leaning towards a teaching degree, which she said was “the best decision.”

She loves teaching at Elk Valley. “It’s a great school and every one works as a really awesome team,” Seiber said.

Her favorite part about her job is the “aha moments” she gets to see when her students understand a concept. “I love that light bulb moment; some of the material they are studying is hard, but when they get it, you can see that look on their faces. When they understand it, no matter how small or big, that’s something I always enjoy,” Seiber said. 

She said she loves teaching her seventh and eighth graders because “they’re still kids, but also maturing into young adults.” “It’s a special age group; I love my middle schoolers!”

Seiber said she has been amazed at the adaptability both teachers and students have shown over the last year. She said something positive from the past school year was everyone’s appreciation of going to school.

“Even my own kids and myself as a teacher are grateful for this opportunity to be in school.”

Publisher’s note: Have a special educator to nominate to be WLAF’s teacher of the week? Email nominations to wlaf@450wlaf.com. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/01/2021-6AM)