LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Teachers make a difference in their students lives each and every day. For many students, having a teacher who cares and goes that extra mile can be the difference in a successful education and graduation. We’ve all had that teacher who inspired us or helped in some way. That’s why WLAF and Eagle Tire Pros salute all of our hard working educators with a weekly feature.

This week’s featured educator is Carrie Orick. She has taught Kindergarten through fifth grade music at LaFollette Elementary School for three years. Up until this year, she simultaneously taught K-8th grade at Wynn Habersham as well.

LaFollette Elementary’s Carrie Orick is Eagle Tire Pros and WLAF’s teacher of the week.

Orick was raised in LaFollette and attended Jacksboro Elementary and Middle Schools and Campbell County High School. She then attended Lincoln Memorial University where she earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Music Education. According to Orick, last year she “married her soul mate Mykel Lamarr.”

Orick said she had been inspired to become an educator by many people throughout her life, including her mom and sister.

“My mom patiently taught me how to read and write before I’d even started school, and my sister spent many nights helping me study for tests in high school and college,” Orick said. 

To nominate a teacher for the Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week honors, please send your nomination to wlaf@1450wlaf.com.

She also had countless teachers in every level of her education that impacted her and gave her a desire to pursue teaching. 

“When I joined high school band, I was challenged to educate some of my peers in music, and it was a life-changing experience,” Orick said.

Her favorite part of the job is being able to “spread her love of music to a community of awesome students.” 

“Helping them connect music with everything around them is such a privilege, and being able to make music with so many great young people makes my job a constant source of joy. Even on the hardest work days, I’m still surrounded by an outpouring of love and support within my school,” Orick said. 

Every Thursday, WLAF’s Charlotte Underwood features the WLAF – Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week. That educator also receives a free oil change from Eagle Tire Pros. To nominate a teacher for teacher of the week honors, please send your nomination to wlaf@1450wlaf.com. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/03/2022-6AM)