MARTIN, TN — Students from Mary Thrash’s Teaching as a Profession (TAP) program at Henry County High School made a historic debut at the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Future Educator Day. In their first-ever appearance at the event, the Henry County chapter didn’t just compete—they excelled, ultimately being named Best of Show.
The “Best of Show” distinction is awarded to the school with the highest overall points and rankings across all competitive categories, marking a monumental achievement for the program’s first year at the event.
The Henry County TAP students showcased their pedagogical skills and creativity across several categories, bringing home top-three finishes in five different areas:
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Interactive Bulletin Board Design: 1st Place – Bryleigh Mitchell and Aaliyah Haymon
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Lesson Planning: 1st Place – Marley Watson
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Teaching Playbook Challenge: 2nd Place – Eduardo Zarate, Halle Cambridge, Aashdyn Teague, and Landon Tinsley
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Children’s Book Contest: 2nd Place – Aubry McMasters and Karsyn Dempsey
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Lesson Planning Presentation: 3rd Place – Kimberly Vallery and Olivia Crider
The success at UT Martin highlights the strength of the TAP curriculum in preparing the next generation of educators. By sweeping multiple categories and securing the overall title, these students have set a high standard for the future of the Henry County program.
Congratulations to Mrs. Thrash and her talented students on this incredible milestone!
Photo submitted by Betsy Allison