Cindy Honaker is WLAF’S Teacher of the week

By Charlotte Underwood      

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Jacksboro Elementary School teacher Cindy Honaker is WLAF’S Teacher of the week. Honaker teaches third grade and has been a teacher for 15 years.   

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher from a very early age,” Honaker said. She enrolled in college at the University of Tennessee to pursue her education degree right out of high school, but due to life circumstances, she didn’t obtain her degree until later after going back to school.    

Going to college as a non-traditional student, Honaker “juggled” being a mom and wife while attending school at Tennessee Technological University and later at Lincoln Memorial University.  

“I was very fortunate to have a supportive husband and family who encouraged and inspired me to achieve my life long dream,” Honaker said. She said she struggled with going back to school, because she had been out for a while and it was “intimidating” to go back.   

“I came to the realization that I had to step out on faith and do what God had planned for my life.”  

Honaker said as a teacher, her greatest desire is to make a difference in the lives of her students.  She said teaching is such a rewarding profession and whenever she sees a student learn something new, it brings a smile to her face.

“If I can be a positive influence and role model for children, then it has been worth it all,” Honaker said.   

This year’s pandemic has changed many things about attending school, but Honaker said there have been positives in facing the challenges and that students had “adapted well” to the changes.  

“Out students are amazing, and they have been so courageous and resilient throughout this time. They have truly taught me how to make the best out of a difficult situation. This year has taught me how to prioritize what is most important in my life, and I am a different person today because of it,” Honaker said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/17/2020-6AM)