April Riley is Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week

By Charlotte Underwood 

CARYVILLE, 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 teacher is April Riley. She teaches at Caryville Elementary School. 

Riley has lived in Campbell County her whole life, and she and her husband Mike have two adult children, Stacy and Michael. 

According to Riley, this is her 13th year at Caryville Elementary School. 

“I worked 10 years as an educational assistant and two years as school secretary. This is my first-year teaching, and I am teaching the grade of my dreams…. preschool,” Riley said.

She has always wanted to be a teacher and “through the support of her family and administrators, that dream has finally come true.”

“I am blessed with 20 wonderful children and an amazing group of parents,” Riley said. 

She added that her own years as a student in Campbell County Schools were “filled with wonderful educators who left a lasting impression.” Riley said she hopes to leave that same lasting impression on her own students.

Her favorite part of teaching is “getting to work with children and see the excitement when they learn a new skill or create a new milestone.”

“My students are like sponges, and they impress me more every day,” Riley said.

She loves to sing and dance with her students, which helps her get through the tough days. 

“If we take time to speak and listen to students, we realize that some things just aren’t as bad as we may think. I want all my students to know that I love them, and I will always help them in any ways that I can.” 

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 – 12/15/2022-6AM)