By Charlotte Underwood

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

Daniel Lasley is Eagle Tire Pros Educator of the week. He teaches Physical Education at Caryville Elementary School and has been an educator for 28 years.

Daniel Lasley is Eagle Tire Pros Educator of the Week. He teaches physical education at Caryville Elementary School and has been an educator for 28 years. He is pictured with his wife Mandy.

Lasley was born in Fayetteville NC. while his dad was stationed at Pope Air Force Base basically inside of Fort Bragg in 1972.

“However, my roots are here, and I was raised in LaFollette and attended West LaFollette, LMS and CCHS growing up,” Lasley said.

He obtained his bachelor’s degree was from UT Chattanooga in 1997.

“I am a P.E Teacher at Caryville elementary and have been for 24 years; the first 10 years I split time with Caryville and Elk Valley. I also taught 3 years at Jellico Elementary and 1 year in the Chattanooga area for a total of 28 years so far. I am also a coach and TSSAA football and basketball official. I currently coach our middle school soccer program Campbell County United and have coached football basketball and track throughout the county in the past,” Lasley said.

He said that over the years he had interactions with some amazing coaches here in the county as well.

To nominate a teacher for teacher of the week honors, please send your nomination to wlaf@1450wlaf.com.

“No one really inspired me to be a P.E. Teacher I guess I just felt GODs call. I’m a gym rat always have been always will be and I guess when someone mentioned it in college, I was just like yep that’s it. However, coaching I will call out the names of John Faulkner, Steve Rutherford, Mike Miller, Brent Peel, Gregg Vinsant and Rusty Gillum,” Lasley said.

When asked about his favorite part of teaching physical education, Lasley said seeing the kids smile was the ultimate reward.

“What’s my favorite part of teaching, well Coach Faulkner always said he loved watching great Athletes perform. Well elementary age students are not great athletes, but they are very very fun to watch perform and develop. Seeing them smile truly is teachings greatest reward at least for me. The kids say I’m the mean P.E. Teacher at CES and that’s ok I may be a mean cuss sometimes but I’m the same mean cuss to every one of them when they do it wrong, but I’ll pat them on the back too when they fix themselves,” Lasley said.

Another favorite for Lasley is where he works.

“It’s great working with Caryville fellow PE teacher Brian Miracle and music teacher Eric Wright. I’m blessed to work each day with two of the best friends I’ve ever had,” Lasley said.

He also said he would be remiss if he did not thank his “lovely wife Mandy” for her support.

“I’d like to thank my wife, Mandy; our 30th anniversary is coming up on September23rd and she is the greatest gift JESUS ever gave me besides my salvation.”

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-07/24/2025-6AM)

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