CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. – On Tuesday, the Tony Serra Nissan/Cullman Tribune Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Month were honored and presented with their rides for the next month. Each teacher also received a $100 gift card.
Teachers are nominated by the principal or assistant principal of their school and chosen after review by a committee at the Cullman County Schools central office.
Anna McSwain, Good Hope Primary School, Elementary Teacher of the Month
McSwain, a resource teacher at Good Hope Primary School, received use of a Nissan Rogue. She got to share the honor with one of her classes, whose students came out for their own very hands-on inspection of her ride. They approved!
McSwain also received an even more meaningful gift after getting the key to the car: her father, who has been battling health problems recently, made a special trip to the school to present her a bouquet of flowers to celebrate the occasion.
Good Hope Primary School Principal Tonya Cupp said of her teacher, “We are so excited for Ms. McSwain. She goes above and beyond for our students, all of our students, and she epitomizes what we stand for here at Good Hope Primary School and in the Good Hope community. She’s a pillar in our community, and she helps our students socially, emotionally, academically; she meets them where they are. She grows them each and every day and helps them to do the very best that they can do by setting high expectations. She goes above and beyond every day for every student, every teacher, administrators and for everyone at our school.
“I’m honored to work with her, and she just has a passion for life and for her children and for helping others. She is truly a teacher and a servant at heart.”
Tim White, Cullman Area Technology Academy, Secondary Teacher of the Month
Tim White, a Cullman Area Technology Academy (CATA) precision machining teacher whose students have gotten to manufacture components for the International Space Station, received use of a Nissan Pathfinder. CATA Principal Billy Troutman warned the Nissan folks that, based on White’s extensive skills, their vehicle might be returned customized and even better than new!
Troutman said of his instructor, “Mr. White’s been with us for several years, and he actually retired about two years ago. But, even though he’s retired, he comes back now. He’s officially a part-time teacher, but he works a full-time job. He works every day, and the time that he’s ‘off-contract,’ so to speak, he just volunteers it. He loves it that much. He has to maintain all of his credentialing as far as teaching certificate and professional development; he just loves it that much.
“I’m very thankful for Tim. When it comes to the machine shop, and I’ve used this quote all the time, I say he is the Michael Jordan of machine shops. He is, in my opinion, one of the best machinists I’ve ever known. And not only that, he’s got the gift where he can actually help translate that knowledge to people. You know, he can help other folks learn the process and learn what to do, and that’s a gift on its own. It’s one thing to be a gifted machinist; it’s another thing to be able to show and teach, as well. Mr. White does both of those things just incredibly well.”
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Outside his Cullman Area Technology Academy classroom, Tim White checks out the Nissan Pathfinder he’ll be driving for the next month. (W.C. Mann for The Cullman Tribune)
