Local teacher named one of the state’s top humanities educators

Hamilton County High School teacher Rachel Turner has been named one of Tennessee’s Outstanding Humanities Educators for 2017.

Turner is one of six educators statewide to receive the honor, which highlights teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching the humanities and making the subject an important part of their students’ lives.

Gary Kuehn, principal at Hamilton County High School, said Turner plays an influential role in preparing students for their futures.

“I’m thrilled her dedication to students, their families, and the whole community is being recognized with such a high honor,” Kuehn said in a statement.

Each recipient of the award receives a $2,000 fellowship to further their professional development in the humanities. The recipient’s school is given a $1,500 grant that can be used to buy instructional materials for student humanities projects.

Turner’s portion will be used in her classroom for the purchase of humanities instructional materials.

Hamilton County High School is the district’s adult high school and serves students ages 17 to 21.

Kuehn previously told the Times Free Press that most of his students struggled previously at their previous schools, but are motivated here to be successful because they know it’s their last shot at earning high school diplomas.

Turner has been teaching social students at Hamilton County High School for four years and previously told the Times Free Press that she and her fellow teachers work diligently to build confidence and self-esteem in the students.