Kathy Bolton is Eagle Tire Pros Educator of the Week

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, 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.

 Kathy Bolton is Eagle Tire Pros Educator of the Week. She is an educational assistant in the Comprehensive Development Classroom (CDC) at Jacksboro Elementary School.

Bolton was raised in Elk Valley and attended Elk Valley Elementary and graduated from Jellico High school. 

“My favorite teacher back then was Mrs. Wilma Wright, she was my home-economics teacher at Jellico High School,” Bolton said.

Bolton attended college “up north and became a dietary manager”, but when she came back from from Ohio, she went to work at Camel Manufacturing. 

“I’m married to Roger Bolton and we are raising our granddaughter Harley who is in 7th grade at Jacksboro Middle school. She keeps us on our toes and young,” Bolton said.

She began working in the school district as a substitute teacher for Campbell County schools from 2000 to 2002. She then worked the day shift at Camel until 2016 when she took an early retirement due to health issues. 

After so many years being home, Bolton decided she wanted to start substitute teaching again. 

“In the 2024/2025 school year, I decided to get a part-time job substituting again because I could pick and choose where I wanted to sub. But I ended up substituting all over Campbell County. Yes, I drove to Jellico Elementary and High School to substitute, and I drove to White Oak Elementary to substitute, too,” Bolton said.

That all changed last year when she started substituting at Jacksboro Elementary School in the CDC class.

 “After a month, I talked to my husband and told him how much I loved being in there with the children. I told him they had received approved for the second aide, and I wanted the position. See, the teacher Mrs. Lisa Greenwood and aide Mrs. Alice Wolfe had inspired me to ask and put in for the job,” Bolton said.

She said the  principals, Mrs. Raven Sabino and  assistant principal Ashley Spade, “rallied her on, and that they were “so supportive”.

“I was so happy because I knew I had made the right decision. My favorite part of our class is the children and the look on their faces when they accomplish a math problem or an english question. It’s like they know they are different from other students and that it’s okay cause they learn just like other students do. That look alone on their little faces makes my day,” Bolton said.

Another favorite part of her job is working at Jacksboro Elementary School. 

“The staff at JES is amazing when it comes to our class and they are willing to help if we need them.”

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-08/06/2026-6AM)