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Wlaf1450
By Charlotte Underwood
JELLICO, 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 hard-working educators with a weekly feature.
This week’s featured educator is Hiroko (Koko) Day or better known as Ms. Koko or Ms. Day by her students at Jellico Elementary School where she serves as a student counselor. This is her seventh year in education. Day taught four years in classrooms and then became a school counselor.
She was born and raised in Japan.
“I came to Jellico High School as an exchange student when I was in high school. That’s where I met my husband. I am married, and we are blessed with four sons,” Day said.
Her hobby is baking and she “especially enjoys baking bread and pastries” and she bakes every weekend for her family.
Her family also carries on the tradition of hosting foreign exchange students.
“My family has hosted exchange students since 2019. We love learning about different countries, cultures, and traditions. We have gained nine bonus children around the world,” Day said.
Day graduated from the University of the Cumberlands with an elementary education degree in 2018 and was hired at Jellico Elementary School.
“I have taught 1st grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade classrooms and loved being a classroom teacher,” Day said.
She continued her education while she was teaching and earned a master’s degree and an education specialist degree in school counseling from the University of the Cumberlands.
“I started working as a school counselor at Elk Valley STEM School and Jellico Elementary School in 2022. I am currently working at Jellico Elementary School,” Day said.
Day had several people who inspired her to pursue my career in education.
“My older sister, my husband, and my mother-in-law are teachers, and they had an impact in my decision. Another person who had an impact in my decision was Mrs. Amy Bowlin who taught all four of my sons in kindergarten. I first visited her classroom when my oldest son was in her classroom. I was impressed by the way she was teaching and interacting with her students. It made me think that I want to give a positive impact in children’s lives just like she does,” Day said.
Day said she enjoys working with her co-workers at Jellico Elementary School and assisting students and teachers in any way she can.
“I was blessed to work with many wonderful people previously and currently,” Day said.
She mentioned several people she “admires to work with.”
“Mr. Kenny Chadwell was my first principal whom I worked with. I cannot thank him enough for his support during my first years of my education career. Mrs. Nancy Lay is another principal whom I admire. She has high expectations for her students and teachers, and she always cares about her people. Mrs. Sherry Lasley also inspired me to be a school counselor. She was my mentor and go-to person before she retired as a school counselor. She shared her knowledge and supported me throughout my school.”
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-02/20/2025-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARIE’S PHOTOGRAPHY)