Math educator Brian McLaughlin named Tennessee’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

I love to write stories about teachers who have been honored for their hard work in the classroom. Today I get to write about math educator Brian McLaughlin, who has been named the Tennessee’s 2020 Teacher of the Year.

Brian said he was shocked when the announcement of his selection was made. The Teacher of the Year is usually selected from one of three Grand Division winners. But this year, the Tennessee Department of Education broke their tradition and selected a Teacher of the Year in addition to three Grand Division winners.

Brian’s passion for teaching was ignited at a very young age. When he was only 13, with his math teacher went out on maternity leave. With no substitute available, the student took on the role and taught the class. That experience inspired him to make teaching his life career. After his high school graduation, Brian enrolled at Carson Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee. There he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. He earned his Master’s in Education from Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee.

In a career that has spanned 11 years, Brian currently teaches Algebra, Honors Algebra, and AP Statistics at West High School in Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee. The school is located in a rural area with widespread poverty and homeless, and a large population of English language learners.

Brian’s philosophy of teaching focuses on an abstract perspective. He asserts this fosters creativity in problem-solving. By using this strategy, the innovative educator has earned Tennessee’s highest evaluation scores each year of his career. Most importantly, says Brian, is influencing students by reaching their hearts, and he is driven by a deep desire to ensure that each individual child’s personal needs are met. To this end, he uses a “destiny first” mindset, which he describes as centering curriculum and instruction around students’ career goals and ensuring that what they are doing in the classroom is relevant to achieving those goals.

Brian is also deeply invested in his community. He believes schools must collaborate with local government leaders and businesses to ensure that the world is preparing for his students at the same time his students prepare to impact the world.

To read more about Brian, see this link at CCSSO.