Terry West named Harper Elementary's Teacher of the Year

Apr. 10—THOMASVILLE- Harper Elementary fourth- and fifth-grade special education teacher Terry West has been named the school's 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Originally a basketball player, West never imagined himself as a teacher, much less the Teacher of the Year.

"I started teaching on a whim," he said. "I was playing basketball in Mexico and my best friend played with me. He decided to retire and come back and coach basketball, but I had a psychology degree and knew I wasn't going to be coaching basketball."

West said his friend made his promise that if he ever changed his mind, he would contact him.

"I said 'sure,' but I never really thought I would," he recalled. "About two weeks later, I tore my rotator cuff."

With basketball in the rearview mirror, West called up his friend and came to Thomasville High School to begin coaching in 2007. At the time, the only position available was a long-term substitute position with special education students.

"I fell in love with it, and everything just went from there," West said.

Since then, West has worked diligently with his co-workers to ensure all students understand the materials, sharing information in a variety of ways to help students further their knowledge.

"My favorite part about this is watching kids grow," he said. "I deal with kids on the lower level of the academic side, so to see them from their beginning and the progress they make is the most rewarding part."

While sometimes a challenge to find new and inventive ways to help students retain the knowledge, West said it is possible with the help of his peers.

"I have so many good peers," he said emotionally. "They help me and are the best co-workers I could ever have. We come in and we work hard."

West acknowledged the past year has been difficult with the retention of teachers, but he and his peers have worked to make sure that when one teacher needs help, they all lend a hand.

"We've stuck together through this hard situation and we made it off the CSI (Comprehensive Support and Improvement) School list," he said. "We just never gave up on these kids."

Having all been a team, West was shocked that his peers voted him as Teacher of the Year.

"I originally said I didn't want it," he said. It's hard to believe in yourself if you've never seen the potential. I just do as I'm needed."

West said he hopes by slowly seeing his potential after this award, his students will begin to see their potential and believe in what they have to offer.

Principal Pamela Cloud congratulated West, sharing he has demonstrated excellence in the classroom and an exceptional commitment to his students.

"He has a great respect and rapport with students, parents, and colleagues," she concluded.

West will now compete for the District Teacher of the Year, which will be announced at a later Board of Education meeting.