Monica Bane is Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week

By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, 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 Monica Johnson Bane. She has been an educator for 26 years and serves as the GEAR UP Coordinator for Campbell County Schools and has been in that role for seven years. Prior to that she taught Science at LaFollette Middle School for ten years and Biology at Campbell High for nine years. 

Mrs. Bane is a lifelong resident of Campbell County and a graduate of Wynn High School. She attended Cumberland College, now University of the Cumberlands, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She later returned to college and earned her Masters degree in Educational Leadership and an EDS in Curriculum and Instruction.

Bane said she had many teachers during her youth that inspired her career in education and that she came from a very small school background where “every teacher knew every student.”

“The educators were personally invested in each child. I wanted to be that educator that inspired and challenged students to become their very best,” Bane said. 

Several of her former teachers that stood out for her during her own education were Larry Leffew, Donna Housley and Virginia Mitchum.

“They were all instrumental in shaping me to become a lifelong learner and educator,” Bane said.

When Mrs. Bane was a classroom teacher, she said the most fulfilling thing about being an educator “was to see the students light up with pride when they accomplished a task that they originally thought was too difficult for them.”

In her role as the GEAR UP Coordinator, she said she loves to see students overcome challenging circumstances and continue their education.

“The success of our students is the success of our community. I have always lived and worked in Campbell County, and I hope my efforts are a small part of helping shape productive citizens to make it a better place,” Bane said.

Over the years she said she had kept every note and card given to her by former students and on the difficult days she reads those. 

“Knowing that I made a positive impact on a student’s life makes the tough days worth it! I love my job and have awesome coworkers that are also dedicated to helping our young people succeed at life,” Bane said. 

Bane said her parents instilled a hard work ethic into her when she was young and she encourages her students to have that same work ethic, which is summed up by her favorite quote by Thomas Edison. 

“There is no substitute for hard work.”

“I truly believe that our students can accomplish anything if they are willing to work hard to obtain it,” Bane 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 – 05/05/2022-6AM)