Bolivar Middle School Teacher Graduates from WestTeach Program

Bolivar Middle School (BMS) Library Media Specialist Deana Sain graduated on December 13, 2022, from the University of Tennessee at Martin’s 2022 WestTeach program along with 23 other teachers from across West Tennessee. The theme for the program this year was “Bridging the Gap between Classroom, Community and Commerce”. Sain and her peers were specially selected by their director /superintendent of schools to attend the four month long, four-session program that had training in Martin/Union City, Jackson, Dyersburg, and Brownsville.

“I traveled to Martin, Jackson, Dyersburg, and Brownsville this school semester and gained valuable insight at every location,” said Sain who attended kindergarten through twelfth grade in Middleton, and has taught exclusively in Hardeman County for 27 years. “I especially enjoyed hearing from businesses all over West Tennessee and what they needed from us as teachers to better prepare students for the workforce.”

WestTeach is the premier leadership-development program for teachers in the 21 counties of West Tennessee. It was created four years ago with the mission of engaging and equipping West Tennessee teachers with the tools and leadership skills for success in and outside the classroom. The 2022 class included members from 19 West Tennessee counties – Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, and Weakley.

Applicants must be K – 12 teachers who aspire to stay in the classroom and want to be leaders in their schools and communities. They should be nominated by their Director /Superintendent of Schools. Selection is also based on leadership achievements and potential to contribute to the region’s educational system. Only one teacher is selected from each district each year.

“I am incredibly grateful that Dr. Christy Smith recommended me for this program. I am proud of our county and want the best for our students and community,” said Sain whose husband and two sons graduated from Bolivar Central High School.

The love of teaching comes naturally by Sain. Her mother, Marilyn Pulse, was a teacher at Middleton Elementary School for 26 years until she passed away from a brain tumor.

Sain is a member of the BMS Leadership Team, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Hatchie Chapter of DAR, TASL, TN STEM Task Force Alliance, and TETA Instructional Learning Network Steering Committee. She has been the recipient of the DAR Grant, the James Patterson Grant, TN Humanities Grant, TN STEM Grants, and TVA/TSIN Grants. Sain was awarded the 2019 TASL Innovative Library Media Award, Master Library Award from Renaissance Learning, and is the 2022 Teacher of the Year at Bolivar Middle School.

“Ms. Deana is a lifelong learner who continues to contribute in any way she can. She is a team player and willing to go out of her way putting extra time and effort into students, and we are just blessed to have her,” said BMS Principal Brian Mays. “Ms. Deana is an example to us all and I could not ask for anybody to be a better role model.”

Sain participated in four sessions on West Tennessee agriculture, the humanity of leadership, creating partnerships for economic development, and building communities.

“Practically every businessperson we talked to said we needed to help students improve their soft skills: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity,” said Sain. “I look forward to professional development meetings with our teachers as we continue to explore the best ways to help all of our students in the county reach their full potential.”

Sain shared an Ann Landers quote she loves and lives by as a parent, “It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.”

The quote is one that appears to have also permeated into the way Sain teaches.

Pictures courtesy of The University of Tennessee at Martin.

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