Know Your Why: Teachers Share Their Story

Photo: Shutterstock


Tennesseans for Student Success (TSS) recently released a video of 2018-19 Tennessee Teacher of the Year, Melissa Miller, and we’re in love. Being a teacher is not easy, but so important to the success of our community and the future of our children.

TSS is encouraging teachers and leaders to believe it’s necessary to celebrate educators for the community to ‘Know Their Why.’

Here’s Melissa Miller’s why:

“Hi! I am Melissa Miller and I teach first grade at Franklin Elementary School and I’m the Tennessee Teacher of the Year.

“This is my why. My why is to teach students to believe in themselves. My why is to see the invisible in each and every child. My why is to help students see what they can become, to inspire a passion for learning that is absolutely unquenchable.

“My why is to give every child, every chance, every day – to feel and to become successful.

“My why is to be that teacher that they never forget. You never know the reach you have, the touch your words have on a life. No matter what position you are, no matter what you do. Where you’re sitting right now, you are important in the lives of your teammates, of your workmates, of your family, of your friend.

“So I encourage you: write down your ‘why,’ and let that continue to grow as you continue to grow because we’re each really a piece of all of the others of an absolutely beautiful, amazing masterpiece. So write down your why. Do it now. Do it today. And let that keep growing as you keep growing.”

ARE YOU AN EDUCATOR? Share your ‘why’ and it may be read on air.
Please be patient as it may take a moment to load
[ss-promo op_id=”604664″ op_guid=”d347314e-a400-4119-a9f9-a69724d1e935″ routing=”hash”]

Recent Headlines

22 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Kendrick Lamar leads 2026 Grammy nominations, followed by Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff and Cirkut

Not like us? More like him: Kendrick Lamar leads the 2026 Grammy Award nominations, announced Friday.

1 day ago in Sports

Broncos’ defense shines in 10-7 squeaker over Raiders despite offensive and special teams struggles

The Denver Broncos aren't collecting many style points but as long as they keep racking up more points than their opponents on the scoreboard, they don't care how ugly it looks.

1 day ago in Sports

Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown arrested on attempted murder charge in Miami shooting

Former NFL star Antonio Brown has been arrested on an attempted murder charge stemming from a shooting after a celebrity boxing event in Miami, police confirmed Thursday.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Shaggy recounts his relief mission to Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa and shares how you can help

After the devastating October storm that killed at least 75 people across the northern Caribbean, Shaggy, 57, mobilized relief immediately for Jamaica, shuttling supplies from Miami and hand delivering them to the worst-hit areas.

1 day ago in Lifestyle

Farmers’ Almanac says it will cease publication after 208 years, citing financial challenges

A 208-year-old publication that farmers, gardeners and others keen to predict the weather have relied on for guidance will be publishing for the final time.