Jefferson's announces the return of the "Jefferson's Teacher of the Year" award, in honor of National Teachers’ Day on Tuesday, May 5. 

Officials said, "This initiative aims to celebrate the dedication of teachers who are making an impact by inspiring a love of learning in their students, leading by example in their communities and consistently going the extra mile both in and out of the classroom." 

Each of the four Chattanooga metro Jefferson’s locations will award one Teacher of the Year: Dalton, Kimball, Ringgold and Trenton.

The Jefferson's Teacher of the Year award is open to teachers working with groups of any age that live or work within 10 miles of Dalton, Kimball, Ringgold and Trenton Jefferson’s. Teachers can be nominated by anyone: students, parents and guardians of students, community members, school officials, etc. 

The nomination period opens March 30 and closes on April 8 at 11:59 p.m.

Each Jefferson’s location in the Chattanooga area (Dalton, Kimball, Ringgold and Trenton) will select one extraordinary teacher for Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year, for a total of four recipients. The winners will receive: 
• $500 Jefferson’s gift card.
• Their names added to the Jefferson's Teacher of the Year recognition plaque that will be prominently displayed at Jefferson’s for all patrons to see.

• Locations: 
o Dalton: 200 N Hamilton St.
o Kimball: 110 Battle Creek Road
o Ringgold: 86 Tennessee St.
o Trenton: 4276 Highway 136 West

"A great teacher can change the course of a life," said Jefferson’s President Brandon Graham. “They shape not only their students but their communities, embodying everything that we look for in a leader - passion, consistency, kindheartedness and sacrifice, for a start. Community is one of our core values here at Jefferson’s, and we loved being able to pilot this program last year to highlight a few of the many deserving teachers leading by example in the Chattanooga metro. We’re glad to bring back Teacher of the Year to continue that tradition.”

Last year was the launch of the Teacher of the Year program. Jefferson’s recognized Rob Lively (Dalton, Eastbrook Middle), Beth Cooper (Kimball, Stevenson Elementary), Danielle Rudd (Ringgold, East Hamilton Middle) and Austin Sanders (Trenton, Dade Elementary) as the Teachers of the Year for their neighborhoods.

Over the last three years, Jefferson’s has also launched and expanded a Coach of the Year program, committed to honoring extraordinary coaches and community members. The Teacher of the Year initiative was launched in 2025 as a sister program—an additional opportunity for Jefferson’s to recognize the individuals going above and beyond for the youth in their communities. 

Community members interested in nominating a teacher can submit their nominations via their location’s Nomination Form (Dalton, Kimball, Ringgold and Trenton) during the submission period. The winner will be announced on National Teachers’ Day: Tuesday, May 5. Full Teacher of the Year program details can be found at jeffersons.com/teacher-of-the-year.