Denise King is Eagle Tire Pros Educator of the week

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- We’ve all had that teacher who inspired us or helped in some way. That’s why WLAF and Eagle Tire Pros salute one of our hard working educators with a weekly feature. 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.

Denise King is Eagle Tire Pros Educator of the Week. She is a special education teaching assistant at La Follette Elementary School and has been in an education career for 25 years. She has been at La Follette Elementary School “since they opened their doors in February of 2009.”

King was born in La Follette and has “lived here all her life.”

She attended elementary school at East La Follette then La Follette Jr high and then Campbell County High School. King graduated in 1985.

“A few years later I met my husband Jimmy King, who I treasure dearly. We have been married 35 years. We have one daughter Kaitlin; she is a wonderful daughter and mother. She married a great guy Hershel Carroll,” King said. They have three girls.

King said her granddaughters, Melah, McKenna and Paisley, are the “heartbeat of their family.”

King has been in education for 25 years and got her beginning by substitute teaching in 2001.

“I subbed some in Special Ed at East La Follette School, and loved it. I directed traffic at that same school for La Follette Police Department for five years,” King said.

She was hired as a Special Ed Assistant in 2006. She also rode as a Special Education Bus assistant for about four years.

“I worked with some great people over the years, and I work with some wonderful people who have been a great help to me in my almost 25 years in the school system. I loved my job and I always wanted to make a difference in our students’ lives and have a positive influence. But, let me tell you these kids have impacted my life in a great way and I love them,” King said.

She said her “biggest influence” in her life has been her mom and Dad – David and Judy Snyder.

“They raised us in church and in the fear of the Lord and gave us the love of song. My family and I have sung for years. The Snyder Family and I have been going to the same church since I was four at High Street Church,” King said, adding that “it was a little church with a lot of love.”

“I love my family and church dearly; They are a big part of me and my life,” King 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.