Golden Apple Award: Olivia Hatcher, South Polk Elementary
POLK COUNTY, TN (WDEF) – The best teachers make every student feel included, safe and loved. Olivia Hatcher checks all those boxes and so many more. That’s why she won the Golden Apple Award.
Tim Kidd is the Principal at South Polk.
He says, “She’s the best. She’s the best. She will volunteer for anything we need. She loves these kids. She works with her heart is with these kids, and she just goes above and beyond every day for these kids. And just the best. The best.”
Olivia explains, “I’ve got two adult daughters. I’ve got a grandson who is three years old. My oldest daughter is well, she’s a stay home mom. She works at Peerless Pediatrics part time. I’ve got a youngest daughter who is a school counselor at E K Baker, her first year. And my husband is a truck driver.”
Frances Bramblet is the Special Education Coordinator for Polk County Schools.
Frances says, “Miss Hatcher is wonderful. She loves her students. She wants what’s best for them every day, and she fights for that every day. And so, I don’t have to worry about her doing her job, because I know she’s going to do it and do it well.”
Hatcher remembers, ” I knew a long time ago, when I was in school, I had some friends that were in Special Ed, and I’ve just grown to love them. I was attached to them. We’d go outside and play together, and I went to church with some of them. So, I don’t know, I just had a love for them, just seeing their progress every day, just seeing how they act every day, interact with each other, interact with me. And just like I said, their progress every day. I had a kindergarten teacher, Miss Kay. She’s passed away now, but she was my greatest influence, my kindergarten teacher.”
Megan Underwood is a Special Education Assistant at South Polk.
Megan says, “I just love working with Olivia. It’s my first year in a classroom with her, and she has just made it a dream come true. And I’m so thankful for her for letting me have this opportunity.”
Hatcher concludes, “First and foremost, I love them and I care about them, and that I’m always here for them.”
