On Thursday, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the nine statewide finalists for the 2021-22 Tennessee Teacher of the Year award. One of the finalist is Warren Co. High School teacher Erin Blalock. The nine finalists represent each of the eight Center of Regional Excellence (CORE) areas in the state. The nine finalists were then selected by a state-level selection committee.
Senator Janice Bowling congratulated Blalock, calling her a gifted teacher.
Teacher of the Year candidates must have been teaching full-time for at least three years. Additionally, they are evaluated based on having a track record of exceptional gains in student learning and being effective school and community leaders. The final winner will represent Tennessee in the National Teacher of the Year competition and serve as an ambassador for education in the state throughout the 2021-22 school year.