Bridget Thomas is Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week 

Bridget Thomas is Eagle Tire Pros Teacher of the Week! She teaches at LaFollette Elementary School and is pictured here with Eagle Tire Pros owner Brandon Johnson.

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.

This week’s featured teacher is Bridget Thomas. She teaches Fourth Grade Reading/Language Arts and Social Studies at LaFollette Elementary School and is entering her fourth year as an educator.

HERE is a related and most touching story about Thomas, her career and mentor’s surprise visit.

Thomas said she wanted to “first”, say “thank you to the person who nominated” her.

She is originally from Briceville but has lived in LaFollette for the past 19 years.

“I’m the mom of three grown children and BiBi to my first grandbaby, Brynlee Grace. I enjoy doing things with my family, reading, movies, and quilting,” Thomas said.

Thomas returned to college at 46 years old to obtain her teaching degree.

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

“I appreciate my family who supported and cheered me on when I returned to college at 46 years old. They are my inspiration,” Thomas said.

Even though she entered her teaching career later in life, Thomas said she “can’t remember a time that she didn’t want to be a teacher.”

“As a child, I would “teach” my homework to my stuffed animals using the back of my wooden bedroom door as a chalkboard!  However, I started my career in education much later than most because I wasn’t in the best stage of life to enter such a demanding profession until I became an empty nester,” Thomas said.

She also said she had many former teachers who also impacted her life and inspired her to be a teacher.

Thomas said she loves teaching, and her favorite part of the job is “making every student feel loved and being a positive influence for my students. I’ve had former teachers who made an indelible mark on my life, and if I can do the same, then I can claim to be an effective teacher.”

Thomas also said she wanted to say thank you to her fellow educators.

“I cannot stress enough how much administrators and other teachers have taught me thus far. Educators are some of the most dedicated and hardworking people. Therefore, any success I enjoy comes from standing on the shoulders of the educators who came before me.”

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 – 07/11/2024-6AM)