KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A kindergarten teacher at Dogwood Elementary School was surprised with a check for $1,000 and an award Monday afternoon.
As Whitney Kee was going about her day at Dogwood Elementary, representatives from Tennesseans for Quality Early Education walked into her classroom to share that she had been chosen as a winner of the inaugural Tennessee Early Educator Award. Following the announcement, her students erupted into cheers.
“It was a great surprise. I was not expecting this at all. It’s so exciting and it’s been fun celebrating here with my class,” said Kee. “I love what I do. I love seeing the growth every year.”
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Kee is one of six Knoxville-area teachers who were awarded the Tennessee Early Educator Award. This new awards program, created by Tennesseans for Quality Early Education, honors 20 educators for their impact on Tennessee’s youngest learners. Each winning teacher was awarded a $1,000 cash prize, a $1,000 shopping spree at Lakeshore Learning, and an all-expenses paid trip to Nashville.