Rebecca Herrell is Eagle Tire Pros “Teacher of the Week”

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – This week’s featured educator is Rebecca Herrell who serves as the school counselor at LaFollette Elementary School. 

She is from Campbell County and grew up at Stinking Creek.

“My background is in social work. That is where I worked for 12 years prior to becoming a school counselor,” Herrell said.

She is in her second year as a school counselor and decided to go into school counseling because “schools are happy places.” 

“There is no better feeling than seeing children happy and being loved on by people who genuinely love them. I love knowing that no matter what kind of hard things children are going through, they have been loved, fed and cared for while they were at school,” Herrell said.

Sometimes counseling work can feel overwhelming and the “needs seem to be unmanageable.” 

“I often have to remind myself that I may not be able to do everything, but if I can make life better or easier for just one student, then I am doing my job well. That is what keeps me moving forward when it feels like I’m not making a difference,” Herrell said. 

She shared one of her favorite quotes by Lady Bird Johnson – “Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.” 

“I truly believe this. We must see the good in children, especially when they can’t see it themselves,” Herrell 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 – 12/22/2022-6AM)