By Charlotte Underwood

CAMPBELL COUNTY, 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.

This week’s featured educator is Beth Baird. She teaches 5th & 6th grade Language Arts & Social Studies at Elk Valley Elementary and has been a teacher for 16 years.

Beth Baird is Eagle Tire Pros Educator of the Week. She teaches at Elk Valley Elementary School and has been an educator for 16 years. Baird is pictured with three of her sons, left to right is Raylan, Hank, Ryker.

She and her husband Brandon have been married for over 12 years. “Together they have four sons, with their ages ranging from 3 to 18 years old.”

Prior to teaching, Baird worked as a secretary at a sheriff’s department in Kentucky while she attended college.

Both of her parents are retired educators and that played a huge role in her inspiration to go into an educational career as well.

“I also had some great teachers from elementary school to high school. They always tried to make learning fun,” Baird said.

Her favorite part about teaching is seeing the improvements that her students make during the course of each year.

“When you see the gains, students make from day one throughout the rest of the year in your room. Then, you share those gains with students and/or parents and their faces light up because they see the hard work paying off,” Baird said.

Another favorite, according to Baird, is working with her colleagues at Elk Valley Elementary School.

“We are not just a school, but also a family. The willingness of everyone to pitch in and help in any way possible. We can count on each other, and we know this, not every work environment has that relationship.”

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 3/20/2025-6AM)

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