UT’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences recently inducted seven educators into the Educators Hall of Honor Class of 2018.
The Hall of Honor was established to recognize educators who have made profound differences in their students’ lives and the community. The program also generates an endowed scholarship fund to assist students who are in the process of becoming teachers.
The Class of 2018 includes:
Susan Benner, PhD, the recently retired Associate Dean for Professional Licensure and Director of the Bailey Graduate School of Education in the College of Education, Health & Human Sciences and longtime state and local advocate for teacher licensure, special education, the arts, and child care.
Robert J Booker, former director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Knoxville Journal columnist, author of three (3) books, and served on the State and Civil Service Commission and the Tennessee Committee on Humanities.
Susan Dillard, PhD, a retired and revered retail and consumer science professor, co-chair of the Davis Center for Child Development Board of Advisors as well as an active Emeritus member of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences Board of Advisors.
Polly Anna Harris, a retired Bearden High School math and calculus teacher. After twenty-three years of service, a wing of Bearden High School was named in her honor.
Wanda Lacy, a current Farragut High School math and AP Calculus teacher and Mathematics Department Chair who has been honored with accolades such as Teacher of the Year at Farragut, two-time Teacher of the Year for Knox County Schools, East Tennessee Teacher of the Year, and State of Tennessee Teacher of the Year award to name a few.
Dulcie Peccolo, PhD, retired director of Office of Advising and Student Services within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, and former assistant director of the University of Tennessee Evening School.
Wayne Tipps, PhD, a proud retiree of the Univeristy of Tennessee where he served as a professor of Music Education and active in the Tennessee Bandmasters Association including roles as president, vice president, convention chair, and executive secretary. He also served as the conductor of the East Tennessee Concert Band.
Cassie Kay Norvell, PhD, student in Reading Education and Literacy Studies, was awarded the 2018 Educators Hall of Honor Scholarship. Cassie will complete her PhD in May, 2018.
The Educators Hall of Honor was founded in 2002 by C. Glennon Rowell, the late dean of the former College of Education, as a way to recognize deserving educators and assist future teachers.
“These honorees are the consummate teachers, mentors, leaders, advocates, and scholars,” said Sherry Bell, acting dean of the College. “Their dedication and service have profoundly and positively shaped education and impacted countless lives.”
Bob Kesling, direct of broadcasting for UT athletics and the play-by-play voice of football and basketball games, emceed the event, which was held April 5th at the Knoxville Hilton.