By ELLEN BROWN

Staff Writer

Two Sevier County Teachers of the Year have been named finalists in state’s Field Service Center Region cycle — which moves them a step closer to possibly being named Tennessee Teacher of the Year.

Karen Kelley, Sevier County Secondary Grades Teacher of the Year, and Cheryl Deaton, Sevier County Primary Grades Teacher of the Year, have been given numerous in-depth questions on education for the next round in the competition.

“There are several thought-provoking questions,” said Deaton, a teacher at Pigeon Forge Primary School. “There are some that deal with teacher assessment and what our forum would be as Teacher of the Year.”

Kelley, a teacher at Pigeon Forge High School, has been balancing preparing for the competition along with studying for her doctorate degree and teaching her students.

“I’ve had my colleagues look over my work,” she said. “I want to represent the county well.”

Deaton has taught for 34 years at eight schools in three states. She has also served as a principal and district administrator and taught English in Colombia. She moved to Sevier County with her husband in 2001.

Kelley has taught for 13 years and arrived at PFHS when it opened in 1999. She currently teaches U.S. History, along with Bible as an elective course. Her husband, Troy Kelley, is principal at Pigeon Forge Middle School.

Both teachers are thrilled about receiving the honor. The next cycle of the competition is Grand Division, which will include nine finalists for the state title.

“I don’t think Sevier County has had a (state) Teacher of the Year for about 20 years,” Deaton said. “We did have one teacher (Pam Thomas, Pigeon Forge Primary) who made it to the top nine two years ago.”

“I never expected to be picked at my own school, much less the county and region,” Kelley said. “The kids have been very supportive.”

ebrown@themountainpress.com