Misty McNealy is Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week

By Charlotte Underwood

PIONEER, TN (WLAF) – Teachers make a difference in their students lives each and every day. For many students, having a teacher, counselor or principal who cares and goes that extra mile can be the difference in a successful education and graduation. We’ve all had that educator who has 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 Misty McNealy. She is in her third year as a teacher. 

McNealy teaches second grade at Elk Valley STEM School. She is originally from the Williamsburg, Kentucky, area. After living several places, she and her husband decided Jellico was where they wanted to raise their family. 

McNealy said she is “honored” to be chosen as educator of the week. 

McNealy has been in the education system for nine years and was an assistant for six years. During that time she decided to continue pursuing her education degree. 

According to McNealy, she started her journey to become an educator a long time ago, but after marriage and children, she stopped pursuing her education degree to stay home and raise her kids. 

“After they started school, I had a tugging on my heart to continue my education journey. Honestly I didn’t want to go back to college, but the Lord continued to tug at my heart until I enrolled. I am so glad I did. I have had a blessed journey,” McNealy said. 

Her favorite part of being a teacher is the students. 

“There are so many personalities that form our classroom community. We have students who always have a story to tell, others enjoy sharing a joke with the class, but all students are willing to help/teach and encourage their classmates,” McNealy said. 

One of the most important resources an educator can have is a supportive work family and according to McNealy, she has “some of the best.”

“When I run into a brick wall that I am unsure of how to overcome, I can always reach out. These ladies are always here willing to help in any way they can. They always have a word of encouragement or the missing piece to my puzzle,” McNealy said, adding that she couldn’t do it without their support. 

“I am also very thankful we have an instructional coach and an intervention teacher this year. The extra support has been tremendously valuable in my classroom. These ladies have been in the classroom for many years and they always have a solution to my questions,” McNealy 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 – 03/24/2022-6AM)