Jennifer Rutherford is WLAF’s teacher of the week

By Charlotte Underwood

DUFF, TN (WLAF) – White Oak Elementary’s Jennifer Rutherford is WLAF’s teacher of the week. Rutherford is from the White Oak area.

She has two “amazing children, Gage who is 11 and Bristol who is 7.” Rutherford has been married to her husband Steve for 15 years. She has been teaching at White Oak Elementary for the last two years. 

According to Rutherford, it was her mother who inspired her to go back to school and become a teacher. She pursued her career after she married and had kids. 

“My mother taught me never to settle and to never give up on my dreams,” Rutherford said. 

She teaches 4th and 5th English Language Arts and social studies.

“I want to make a difference in my students lives and help them to achieve their goals and be successful. I want students to have a growth mindset in all they do and to know that I believe in them, but more importantly I want them to believe in themselves,” Rutherford said. 

Her favorite part of her job is building relationships with her students and interacting with them.

Rutherford said she loves being a part of the White Oak community and teaching at the same school she attended.

“I love seeing my students learn and seeing the connection they have made when they “get it.” I love my community and feel very blessed to be a teacher at the same school where I attended as a child. 

As our school sign states, “Tennessee Strong & Mountain Tough,” that’s who we are White Oak Elementary. All the faculty and staff work diligently to help every student succeed,” Rutherford said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/09/2021-6AM)