Teachers fight the frontline battles of a school every day and Limestone County recently paid tribute to two of its best.

Emily Paschall, a third-grade classroom teacher, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year and history instructor Eric McGee was awarded the title of Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Both work at Tanner High School, one of three remaining K-12 facilities in the county. Both have spent the majority of their careers at Tanner and hold a passion for its students.

For McGee, his satisfaction comes when even just one teenager comprehends the lesson.

“Seeing that light come on and knowing you made a difference — that’s the joy,” he told The News Courier this week.

McGee earned his teaching certification from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and received his master’s from the University of North Alabama in 2002. During his undergrad years, he toyed with several different majors and fields of study, praying to find the right fit. McGee said he felt God called him to be a teacher.

For the last 19 years, McGee has taught sophomores and juniors American history, dual-credit history and AP history at Tanner. He enjoys talking to his teens about the lessons of the past and how they can be applied in the present.

One of those lessons is “making the most of any chance and opportunity.”

Tanner’s high school population have a passion for learning, McGee said and he takes great delight in helping them achieve.

“We have some magnificent students here,” he said. “It’s always a joy to guide and direct students.”

McGee has previously been named Tanner’s Teacher of the Year, but this is his first time as a district Teacher of the Year. The students and faculty in charge of the decision kept it as a surprise and he was floored when told he won the district title.

“It feels wonderful,” he said.

Elementary

Emily Paschall has spent the last four years as a third-grade teacher at Tanner. She previously spent time at Piney Chapel Elementary, teaching fifth and first grades.

For her, deciding to become a teacher was the obvious choice after high school. She graduated from Florida College in 2010 and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in educational leadership from Samford University.

Tanner has been one of Paschall’s favorite places to work. Though its population has some socio-economic statistics stacked against its students, the community embraces each other’s strengths to help all families succeed.

“It’s just really unbelievable to see it every day,” Paschall said. “I can’t imagine working anywhere else.”

This attitude of hard work for the betterment of all is reflected in her classroom.

“I believe that every child can be successful and the students in my class prove that to me year after year,” she said. “I teach my students to rise above their circumstances rather than creating a buffer.”

In return, the teacher said she doesn’t stress over politics affecting the public education landscape, but focuses her efforts on her students.

“What’s in my control are the 26 kids that come in my classroom each day,” she said. “The kids are what motivates me. My purpose as an educator is to sow seeds of character, ambition and a love of learning in all of my students.”

Both Paschall and McGee move on to the state Teacher of the Year competition, which will take place in spring.