The TowneLaker's
2005 Teacher of the Year

Julie Tillman

Kleven Boston Elementary

Each year, every school in the Cherokee County School District nominates a Teacher of the Year. The selections are made by the teachers' peers, and one of those nominated teachers goes on to be selected as Cherokee County's Teacher of the Year. The TowneLaker also holds a special community-voted contest for the The TowneLaker's Teacher of the Year. This annual contest draws hundreds of votes for the individual Teachers of the Year, and this year was no exception. We received more than 200 votes, and it was close. But in the end, Special Education teacher Julie Tillman of Kleven Boston Elementary School captured the title of The TowneLaker's Teacher of the Year.

Julie has been teaching for 14 years, all of which have been in Cherokee County, and 12 of those at Boston. She teaches the fourth grade Special Education Resource Class, where she currently has six students who think the world of their teacher. Julie didn't always want to be a teacher because as she puts it, "I wasn't the best student." She was a nurse before entering the teaching profession, and it was her work with a pediatrician that led her to her current path. "The doctor I worked with treated children with behavioral problems, and I enjoyed that work," she recalled. She feels that teaching in this capacity was her destiny. "Teaching special education students comes naturally to me. I am able to find a way to make a connection with each student, and I have an intuition about certain children," she continued.

Julie is particularly attached to her students, and she relishes seeing them grow and gain confidence. "A lot of times, these students come to me with disappointment and failure in the school system. To see them grow in their skills and gain confidence is the best reward," said Julie. She also gets a great deal of satisfaction when former students stop by to visit. "I recently had a former student of mine, who is now a senior in high school, visit me. To see this young man's growth and confidence and his satisfaction at graduating high school gives me a tremendous amount of pride."

Julie's peers are certainly proud of their "Teacher of the Year." Fourth grade teacher, Janet Price said, "Julie's bubbly personality comes out with her students and co-workers. She is a very caring individual and she really strives to make education fun." Boston Interim Principal, Pete Jones said, "In her position as instructor as a resource teacher, Ms. Tillman combines caring and concern for the students with professional skill and extraordinary ability. She goes out of her way to motivate and encourage her students and to make sure that theyenjoy learning. She gets along great with her peers and accepts the challenges placed before her with enthusiasm, proven strategies, and always in a very

Mrs. Tillman's class. Left to right: Patrick Symth-Arrowood, Niki Ferguson, Tyler Clark, Brandon Neese, Rafael Lovo and Mrs. Tillman (seated). Not pictured: Maxine Metcalf.

professional manner. She is a very "neat" person - both in the orderly, organized manner and in the current way that students refer to a person that they really admire and respect."

Of her honor, Julie humbly stated, "This has been a great honor, but it's not about me. I am lucky to work with a great group of people. Everyone works very hard for all of the children here, and it's my peers who make me want to do better. I absolutely love this school, and it will always be home to me."

Q: What is the most important thing Mrs. Tillman has taught you so far this year?

Nichole Ferguson - She taught me verbs, and all the other parts of speech. I did not learn that in my other school.

Brandon Neese - Mrs. Tillman taught us how important times tables and spelling and reading books are.

Rafael Lovo - Mrs. Tillman taught us how to be a better reader.

Patrick Symth-Arrowood - Mrs. Tillman taught me how to be a better speller and a good reader.

Tyler Clark - The most important thing I've learned is spelling.

Q: What makes Mrs. Tillman such a good teacher?

Nichole Ferguson - She acts funny, sad, mad and happy, and she's very fashionable.

Brandon Neese - She is the nicest teacher ever and the best in the world.

Rafael Lovo - She is nicer than the other teacher and she helps us, and that's what makes her special.

Patrick Symth-Arrowood - She is nice, and she is cool.

Tyler Clark - She is nice.