By Charlotte Underwood 

 JELLICO, TN (WLAF)- Teachers make a difference in their students’ lives 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 our hard-working educators with a weekly feature.

This week’s featured teacher is Stephanie Shelton. She is the guidance counselor at Jellico High School and has been a counselor for 19 years. 

She’s been married for 10 years to her husband Kris and she has two stepchildren, Carson and Chloe.

Shelton was born and raised in Campbell County, and she attended West LaFollette Elementary School, LaFollette Middle School and graduated from Campbell County High School in 1996.

She then attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She earned a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from LMU and a Master’s Degree in information science from UT Knoxville, along with her Ed.S degree from Tennessee Tech in Administration and Supervision. 

“I am currently the school counselor at Jellico High School, and I have worked as a school counselor for 19 years in the county,” Shelton said. 

Her inspiration to follow a career path in education came from her dad as he “was always wise and gave the best advice.”

One of her school librarians influenced her as well.

“I always knew I wanted to become a librarian because of Mrs. Bobbie Heatherly who was my librarian at West LaFollette and at CCHS. I remember her reading us stories in elementary and making the library a fun place to be while learning. She inspired my love for reading and that still remains,” Shelton said.

Over the past two decades as working as a school counselor, Shelton said she has found that she loves working with students in this capacity. 

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

“I worked as a librarian/counselor for two years and absolutely loved both sides working with students but couldn’t choose which one I like better.  I love being a school counselor and have worked now with students K-12 within the county. I love where I am now and learning something new every day,” Shelton said.

The students are her favorite part about being a school counselor and she also loves being at Jellico High School.

“I love watching them grow into young adults and see where their journey in life is going to take them. I love my school and all of my coworkers who make it the best because we all work together to make a great team. I could not do what I do without them,” Shelton 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 4/25/2024-6AM)

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