Sandra Kidwell is Eagle Tire Pros Educator of the week

By Charlotte Underwood

DUFF, 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 Sandra Kidwell. She is the Family Resource Coordinator at White Oak Elementary School. Kidwell has 33 years of service at White Oak School.

“I am honored to have been nominated as Educator of the Week. With 33 years of service at White Oak Elementary, I have had the privilege of working in the community where I was born and raised, and where I attended school,” Kidwell said.

Her educational background includes attending White Oak and Jellico High School. She began her career in education as a substitute teacher before taking on the role of teaching assistant, a position she held for 30 years. In 2022, Kidwell assumed her current role as Family Resource Coordinator, a job that she said she feels makes a difference in her community.

She said she has always been passionate about making a positive impact on children’s lives, and her current role as a Family Resource Coordinator enables her to ensure that students in the White Oak community have access to essential resources such as food, clothing, and school supplies.

“Through collaborations with various organizations, I am able to make a meaningful difference,” Kidwell said.

Her inspiration for pursuing a career in education stems from one of her own teachers.

“My inspiration for pursuing a career in education stems from my teacher, Harry Chitwood, who instilled in me the importance of setting and achieving goals. Mr. Chitwood was also my boss as principal for at least 20 years,” Kidwell said.

Outside of work, Kidwell enjoys spending quality time with family, “whether it’s around a campfire or at the beach, creating lasting memories.”

Working at the school she grew up attending holds special meaning for her, as does her colleagues and fellow educators.

She also wanted to “congratulate Mr. Gabe Maiden for being an excellent principal.”

“I worked for him for 10 years as his teaching assistant, and he has supported me every step of my new job as Family Resource Coordinator,” Kidwell said.

She also said she loves being able to serve the community that she grew up in, and that her favorite part of the job is the “student interactions.”

“While there are numerous aspects of my job that I cherish, I particularly value the opportunity to work one-on-one with students and interact with the exceptional individuals I have met during my tenure at White Oak Elementary,” Kidwell 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 2/6/2025-6AM)