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 Dana Mesa. She teaches Physical Education at Valley View Elementary School and has been an educator for 17 years in Campbell County.

Mesa grew up in Xenia Ohio, where her dad was the Physical Director at the YMCA. 

“Because of his work, my siblings and I were very active at a very young age.  My dad instilled in us that play and movement had to be a part of our childhood development,” Mesa said.

She said she felt very fortunate to have grown up in the streetlight era… (come home when the streetlights come on….)

Mesa said she raised “two beautiful girls before going back to school at 36 for Physical Education at Palm Beach Atlantic University in South Florida.”

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

It was there that she realized her collegiate athlete dream and ran on the Cross-Country team. 

She also “loves to be in any water, hiking, creating art, and coaching the soul jumpers jump rope team.”

“I am passionate about teaching kids that when “their bodies move their brain grooves” in other words, new dendrites in their brains are forming. The connection between physical activity, great nutrition, and mental health checks are crucial to learning,” Mesa said.

Her favorite part of the job, is “hearing kids laugh, and watching them explore, and learn through movement.”

 Teaching them how to be “resilient, to be problem solvers and critical thinkers is also an important part of her classes.”

Mesa said she “loves to teach sports that they may take into adulthood, giving them a lifelong love of play. Albert Einstein quoted, “Play is the highest form of research” and “imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Mesa said she is “so proud to work at Valley View Elementary with so many wonderful teachers and kids” and that she had “been very fortunate to have worked at many schools in Campbell County, getting to know some of the nicest people and the best and hardest working teachers!” 

“Which is why this feels so uncomfortable; all teachers are teachers of the week, month, year… Thank you to whoever nominated me, like I said, so many other teachers deserve this more than myself.  A huge shout out to the teachers’ assistants who do so much for our students,” Mesa 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. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/16/2024-6AM)

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