Warren County Schools has named Peggye Cantrell, Connie Lusk and Tessa Turner its 2027-28 District Teachers of the Year. The district also recognizes Beth Golden as its Novice Teacher of the Year, a new district category honoring an educator within the first three years of teaching.
The four honorees combine thoughtful instruction with strong relationships, helping students build academic skills, confidence and independence. Their contributions extend beyond their classrooms through collaboration with colleagues, partnerships with families and leadership within their schools.
Pre-K-4: Peggye Cantrell, Dibrell Elementary School
Peggye Cantrell brings 28 years of teaching experience, including 16 in her current role, to her third-grade classroom at Dibrell Elementary School. She pairs high expectations with targeted support and daily opportunities for students to practice kindness and celebrate progress.
Cantrell’s record includes Level 5 student growth in mathematics across multiple school years. In 2025-26, 56% of her students achieved proficiency in English language arts, while 61% achieved proficiency in mathematics and science. Her students exceeded district and state averages in all three subjects and earned recognition at the district’s opening in-service.
Classroom traditions support that achievement. Her “WOW Board” highlights student accomplishments, while “Secret Mission of the Week” challenges students to offer encouragement and compliments to a designated staff member. Community connections, including visits from Tennessee Tech University football players and cards for veterans, help students connect their learning with gratitude, responsibility and future opportunities.
As a member of Dibrell’s Capturing Kids’ Hearts Process Champions team, Cantrell helps lead professional learning and activities that strengthen relationships among students and staff. She has created newsletters highlighting school celebrations, mentored colleagues and helped advance Dibrell’s guiding message: “Work Hard, Be Kind, Dream Big.”
“This recognition reminds me that the work we do matters, and I am thankful to be part of a school community that values the dedication and commitment of its educators,” Cantrell said. “I share this honor with the colleagues, administrators, families, and students who have encouraged me, challenged me, and reminded me why this profession is so important.”
Dibrell Principal Haley Wood praised Cantrell’s dedication.
“She goes above and beyond to help her students grow, succeed, and reach their full potential. Her dedication to her students and her love for teaching are evident in everything she does,” Wood said. “She is truly a blessing to our students and our school, and we couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor.”
Grades 5-8: Connie Lusk, Eastside Elementary School
Connie Lusk helps students become stronger readers and writers through practice, reflection and persistence. With 17 years of teaching experience, including four in her current role, she gives Eastside Elementary School’s seventh- and eighth-grade students regular opportunities to use feedback, revise their work and take ownership of their learning.
One student’s progress illustrates that approach. After earning 8 out of 16 points on the previous year’s TCAP writing assessment, the student worked with Lusk through targeted instruction, revision and “GLOW and GROW” feedback. She later earned a perfect score of 16 out of 16.
Lusk also helps students build stronger connections to school. For the past two years, she has led Eastside’s Students Working Against Truancy committee, coordinating attendance data reviews, interventions and recognition. Eastside’s chronic absenteeism rate declined from 20.9% in 2023 to 5.7% in 2026, reflecting the school’s sustained work to support consistent attendance.
Through college visits, including trips to Motlow and TCAT, Lusk works with colleagues to introduce students to opportunities beyond high school. She also facilitates Eastside’s annual eighth-grade show, giving students responsibility for performances, rehearsals and teamwork while continuing a tradition shared with families and younger students.
“Being named Teacher of the Year is an honor. Teaching students to enjoy reading and writing, and watching them grow, is truly rewarding. I’m grateful for my students, my fellow teachers, and everyone who makes Eastside and Warren County a wonderful place to teach,” Lusk said. “Thank you to everyone who has supported me. This means the world to me.”
Eastside Principal Mr. Rex Crabtree emphasized Lusk’s instructional knowledge and relationships with students.
“She has a deep command of her curriculum and the standards that guide it, and she uses that knowledge to prepare her students for success, both in school and in everything they pursue beyond it,” Crabtree said. “She is an adult they trust and feel comfortable talking to, and that sense of safety and connection is the foundation of everything she accomplishes with them.”
Grades 9-12: Tessa Turner, Warren County High School
Tessa Turner helps students approach mathematics with clear expectations, steady support and an understanding that mistakes are part of learning. She brings 23 years of teaching experience, including 10 in her current role, to her ninth-grade Algebra I classroom at Warren County High School.
Her students’ achievement has exceeded district and state averages for the past three years. Her results include Level 5 effectiveness and an 80% rate of students meeting or exceeding expectations on the most recent state assessment.
As the Algebra I Professional Learning Community leader, Turner guides weekly collaboration focused on student work, instructional strategies and timely support. One practice she introduced, “What Stuck with You?,” asks students to solve a problem on a sticky note at the end of class. Their responses help teachers identify misunderstandings and adjust instruction. The strategy is now used across the Algebra I team.
Turner connects classroom learning to practical decisions, such as comparing car loans or evaluating prices for team jerseys. She also emphasizes organization, responsibility, perseverance and communication with families. Her recognition as the district’s Certified Employee of the Month in March 2026 included parent and student nominations praising her clear expectations, helpful explanations and consistent communication.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized as the 9th-12th District Teacher of the Year. This achievement means so much to me, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of my students each day,” Turner said. “I share this recognition with all of my amazing students, both past and present. They are the ones who work hard and strive to be successful.”
WCHS Executive Principal Chris Hobbs praised Turner’s impact.
“Tessa is an outstanding Algebra I teacher who brings passion, dedication, and a genuine commitment to her students to the classroom each day. She works tirelessly to help her students grow, not only academically, but also in confidence and their belief in what they can accomplish,” Hobbs said. “Her commitment to students, her willingness to support her colleagues, and her dedication to providing meaningful learning experiences make her an exceptional educator and a deserving recipient of this honor.”
Novice Teacher of the Year: Beth Golden, Bobby Ray Memorial Elementary School
For Beth Golden, learning begins with helping children feel safe, welcome and ready to try. As a special education pre-K teacher at Bobby Ray Memorial Elementary School, she creates routines and relationships that help young learners build confidence and independence.
Golden uses visual supports and individual center schedules to help students understand where they are going and what comes next. These tools provide predictability while helping children become more independent throughout the school day. She approaches challenging behaviors by identifying solutions that address individual needs and support participation.
Golden values the moments when students attempt something unfamiliar and discover they can learn a new skill. She credits collaboration with her assistants, pre-K colleagues and administrators with helping her develop her practice. Teaching has also strengthened her voice as an advocate for students in individualized education program meetings, family conferences and daily conversations.
“I feel so honored to receive recognition as Novice Teacher of the Year. I truly love what I do and am excited to come to my dream job every day. I could not do it without my wonderful assistants, Jennifer White and Rachel Joines, my Pre-K team, and the admin team at Bobby Ray,” Golden said. “I hope to continue learning and growing as a teacher in the years to come.”
Bobby Ray Principal Sadie Newby celebrated Golden’s care for her students.
“Beth has a genuine love for teaching, and it shows in the way she cares for her students and works to help each one succeed. She brings so much patience, kindness, and enthusiasm to her classroom each day,” Newby said. “Beth has a special way of making her students feel loved, valued, and capable of great things. She is an incredible asset to our school, and we are so fortunate to have her as part of our Bobby Ray family.”
Representing Warren County
“Ms. Cantrell, Ms. Lusk, Ms. Turner, and Ms. Golden remind us that excellent teaching takes place at every grade level and every stage of an educator’s career,” said Director of Schools Dr. Grant Swallows. “They know their students, set high expectations, and put in the daily work to help them succeed. They also make the people around them better by sharing ideas, supporting colleagues, and partnering with families. We are proud to recognize these four educators and grateful for what they bring to Warren County Schools.”
Cantrell, Lusk and Turner will now represent Warren County Schools in the Upper Cumberland regional selection process for Tennessee Teacher of the Year. Those selected to advance will have the opportunity to compete for statewide recognition, including the Tennessee Teacher of the Year honor. Golden will represent the district in Tennessee’s separate Novice Teacher of the Year recognition program.