2021 Teacher of the Year, MCHS English Teacher Wins New Car
February 26, 2021
Please note: This article was originally posted during a previous school year. Information and/or dates from past events
may be not be relevant for the current school year.
From left: Jessica Drudy, Christina Ploeckelman, Millard House, Victoria McAlman
The Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Foundation hosted its fourth annual Teacher of the Year Awards, sponsored by James Corlew Chevrolet.
“On behalf of the entire James Corlew family, I am humbled and excited to be a part of this expression of respect and appreciation for all the great teachers in our community,” said Jason Blurton, general manager of James Corlew Chevrolet.
While the event wasn’t held in person this year, the Education Foundation and James Corlew broadcasted a live virtual event from the dealership’s showroom where one Teacher walked away with a brand-new Chevrolet Spark.
“The Foundation is forever grateful to James Corlew for supporting the event again this year and allowing us to host the virtual giveaway from their dealership,” said Robin Burton, Executive Director of the CMC Education Foundation. “With all the uncertainties we faced this past year, the Foundation is excited we are continually able to offer support and recognition to our CMCSS teachers, students, staff. None of this would be possible without the continued support of our sponsors and partners.”
The three District Teachers of the Year vying for the car were Jessica Drudy representing grades 9-12 from Montgomery Central High School, Christina Ploeckelman representing grades 5-8 from Richview Middle School, and Victoria McAlman representing grades pre-K-4 from Burt Elementary School.
Drudy, Ploeckelman, and McAlman drew for the order in which they would choose a boxed gift. Two of the boxes contained $500 Visa gift cards, sponsored by the Education Foundation, and the third box held the key to the Chevrolet Spark. Jessica Drudy was the winner of the car.
“It is so humbling,” she said. “To be recognized by your peers at your school is one thing, but to be recognized at the district-level is so humbling.”
In total, 62 teachers were honored as Teachers of the Year for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System district. Each Teacher received a crystal award recognizing their achievement. Also, since an in-person reception was not an option this year, the Education Foundation provided each Teacher of the Year awardee with a gift certificate to the Choppin’ Block.
WATCH: A video with all the nominated teachers, with comments by their administrators, is available below.
The top three finalists represent three grade-level categories set by the Tennessee Department of Education. They will compete at the regional level in the Tennessee Department of Education Teacher of the Year.
“Our teachers have worked tirelessly this year and persevered. This recognition is a great honor, and I am proud of the work of our educators each day.”
Jessica Drudy, an English Teacher at Montgomery Central High, sits in her new Chevy Spark.