Leaders honored at Blount County Education Association banquet

The event was a banquet held on March 6 at Carpenters Middle School. Tennessee Education Association president Earl Wiman was on hand and addressed the group. In addition, Debbie Murphy with the BCEA executive board, spoke about two kinds of people -- givers and takers.

"Teachers are givers, and they give a lot. We are here tonight to honor those teachers who have stepped up to give even more," she said. "They took a leadership role to make a difference for their profession."

Murphy said it was very impressive and gratifying to see leaders from the BCEA from 1975 to 2007 all assembled at the banquet. The event also recognized new teachers. "They are entering a teaching era all of its own," she said. "The expectations and demands are great. We want them to know they have a support system of administrators, school board and many teachers."

Murphy said the focus of the evening was the positive things teachers are doing in the classroom. "People need to be thanked and appreciated for doing good things," she said.