Felicia Chadwell is Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week 

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Teachers make a difference in their students’ lives 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 teacher is Felicia Chadwell. She serves as an instructional coach at LaFollette Middle School and is in her 24^th year as an educator.

Chadwell grew up in Petros and has lived in Huntsville for 17 years. She graduated from Coalfield High School and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Tennessee Tech University and a Master’s degree in educational leadership from Bethel University.

“When I am not working, I love to travel to obscure and historic places with my family, read scary books, and go to thrift stores to treasure hunt,” Chadwell said.

She has taught at LaFollette Middle School since 2007 and currently serves the school as an instructional coach.

“For the past several years I have been the 8th grade history teacher. This year is my 24th year as an educator,” Chadwell said.

One of her own educators is what inspired Chadwell to choose a career in education.

“As a young student, Mrs. Thelma Hecker was the coolest person I had ever met. She told the best stories, she marched to her own beat, and she didn’t try to make me fit into the standard box. She encouraged me to learn everything I could for myself. She was a light in my life, and I think of her every day despite it having been thirty-five years since I sat in her classroom. I wanted to be that bright spot for other kids like me who may not have fit into the standard box,” Chadwell said.

Her “very favorite part of the job is all the relationships” she forms with her students, coworkers, and the parents of students.

“I have been fortunate enough to teach roughly 2,000 of Campbell county’s fine citizens. They all hold a special place in my heart. Many of them have maintained relationships with me over the years,” Chadwell said.

Another favorite part of her job is “where she works.”

“Working at LMS is the best. I tell everyone that I drive past nine other schools to get there every day because I love the people I work with. I have no desire to ever go anywhere else.”

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-10/31/2024-6AM)