Weakley County Schools is thrilled to announce that Caitlin Tucker, a speech-language pathologist at Sharon School, has been named a finalist for the 2025–26 Tennessee Teacher of the Year award. The honor places Tucker among just nine educators from across the state selected by the Tennessee Department of Education, recognizing her exceptional service, innovation, and impact in education.
Often referred to as an invaluable asset, Tucker has built her career around helping all students, ranging from those who are completely nonverbal to those who have slight delays, find their voice. Through her unwavering belief in each child, coupled with innovative, evidence-based strategies, Tucker has turned breakthroughs into everyday realities at not only Sharon School, but throughout the entire district.
Sharon Principal Dr. Michelle Clements praised the decision, emphasizing that Tucker’s work as a speech-language pathologist is not just vital; it is visionary.
“Watching students who were once nonverbal speak on morning announcements or engage with their peers is something that never stops being amazing,” shared Dr. Clements. “Mrs. Caitlin is the kind of educator who leaves a lasting mark. Her methods and mindset have shifted our entire school culture and that ripple effect is now being felt throughout the entire district.”
Her methods, once tailored for speech therapy, are now benefitting all learners at Sharon School and are actively shaping how the entire district supports student learning.
“Ms. Tucker’s self-led discoveries in sensory regulation and communication have been ground-breaking. They have transformed the lives of her students by allowing them to be ready for learning in a way they never have before, and they’re so promising, we’re now incorporating her methods into our district-wide professional development for elementary teachers,” shared Betsi Foster, Assistant Director of Weakley County Schools. “She has so much to offer the field of education, and we are proud to celebrate her for this well-deserved recognition.”
In addition to serving as a mentor to speech therapists across Weakley County, Tucker collaborates seamlessly with classroom teachers and families. One parent wrote in a letter of support, “Caitlin formed a bond with my daughter that allowed her to blossom. She poured her heart into every session. We will forever be grateful for the change she made in our lives.”
“I am so incredibly honored to be recognized as a finalist,” said Tucker. “Watching a child who once struggled to communicate begin to share their thoughts, their humor, their personality, that’s where the real magic is. Every student has a voice, and I’m grateful I get to help them find it. Witnessing strategies that began in my therapy room now being embraced both school and districtwide is deeply humbling. It reminds me that the work we do, day in and day out, matters.”
As a state finalist, Tucker will have the opportunity to serve on the Tennessee Teacher Advisory Council, a two-year appointment that connects top educators with the Tennessee Department of Education for collaboration and policy advising.
Tucker joins a growing list of outstanding educators from Weakley County who have earned state recognition, including Danielle Johnson and Sherri Brawner, both previously honored as Tennessee Teacher of the Year finalists.
Congratulations to Mrs. Caitlin Tucker: a visionary, a changemaker, and a true voice-finder for Weakley County students.