This is the fourth installment of Q&As with the teachers who have been selected as Teachers of the Year at Limestone County Schools.

Name: Beth Tuten

School: Sugar Creek Elementary School (previously at Owens Elementary School and Ardmore Elementary School)

Grade Level(s) Taught: 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade

Subject(s) Taught: General Education

Degrees & Granting Institutions, Special Certifications and/or Training:

— Bachelors of Science in Education from Athens State University

— Associates in Data Processing Technology from Calhoun Community College

— Certified in LETRS Training

How many years have you been in education?

I am currently in my 28th year in education.

How many are with Limestone County Schools? 

All 28 years have been with Limestone County Schools.

What makes you proud to be an educator? 

I like to think I have a small part in these children’s lives. I hope that I help them get the basic pieces of their education that they will need for the rest of their lives.

What has your experience in the education field taught you?

I have learned over the years that relationships mean so much. Sometimes we are the stability that these children need. These relationships can go much further than just my second grade classroom. I have interacted with my students throughout their lives again as parents, teachers, and in their other professions.

What do you enjoy most about working for Limestone County Schools? 

Basically, this is home. I was born and raised in Limestone County. I went to Owens Elementary School and graduated from West Limestone High School. I taught my first year at Ardmore and then transferred to Owens until we formed Sugar Creek, which is a combination of Owens and West Limestone Elementary School. I have enjoyed working with people from our community and also teaching children associated with many past connections. I have also been very blessed to have such wonderful coworkers. They have been my school family and are very special to me.

How do your students inspire you?

The students are amazing. For the most part, they love you no matter what. I have shown them my imperfections, they have seen my mistakes, and they are still loving and very forgiving. We all need to be more like our students at times and look at things through the eyes of a child. Maybe then, our world would be a better place.

What are your hobbies? 

I enjoy getting together with my family and friends and traveling. I like to go to plays, musicals, yard sales, thrift stores, antique stores, shopping and also various sporting events.

What is your favorite quote?

 One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalms 118:24, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” As far as just a quote, I think my favorite is, “It is what it is.” There are so many things that we are not in control of and we just have to do our best and move on.

The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program honors and recognizes excellence in the teaching profession by identifying outstanding classroom teachers at local, district and state levels. The Teacher of the Year Program is open to any public school classroom teacher, librarian, counselor or other certified individuals in a K-12 setting.

The Limestone County Schools System honored each Teacher of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet held on Monday, Dec. 2. The Limestone County Schools District-Level Elementary (K-6) and Secondary (7-12) Teacher of the Year, along with the Educational Support Person of the Year, was announced at the special event. These teachers will then represent Limestone County Schools in the Alabama Teacher of the Year state competition.