Mary Peace is Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week

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

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – 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. We’ve all had that teacher 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 Mary Peace. She teaches at LaFollette Elementary School. 

Peace has been married to her husband Jason for 23 years. Together they have one daughter, Lily, who is currently beginning her second year of college. 

When she’s not teaching, Peace enjoys reading, playing trivia with her “teacher besties,” and shopping for antiques with her husband. 

Born and raised in LaFollette, Peace attended West LaFollette Elementary, LaFollette Middle School and Campbell County High School. Afterwards, she went to Roane State Community College and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she received her undergraduate degree in English Literature and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education.

Peace began teaching at West LaFollette Elementary in 2000 which later combined with East LaFollette to form LaFollette Elementary School, which is where she has taught “ever since.” 

“This will be my 24th year of teaching. I have mostly taught 2nd and 3rd grade, but I’m so excited to be going to 4th grade this year. I get a second year with the same amazing students I had last year,” Peace said. 

She said becoming a teacher was always in her future.

“When I was in elementary school, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher one day. Sharon Johnson, Anita Wells, Sue Ellen Nidiffer, Donna Housley and Joy Davis are a few of the teachers that inspired me to become a teacher ” Peace said.

Her favorite part about teaching is the relationships that are formed with students. 

“Being able to get to know students and their families is what I enjoy most. Also, math. I love teaching math. Who would have thought an English major would find her most favorite thing to teach is math,” Peace said.

Another favorite part of her job is her co-workers. 

“My co-workers are my family. They have been there for me during good times and challenging times. They make every day easier. Many of them have retired or moved to different schools, and I miss seeing them daily, but they’ll always be family,” Peace 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 – 07/27/2023-6AM)