Bristol Tennessee City Schools (BTCS) is pleased to announce that Tennessee High School teacher Evandro Valente has been named a finalist in the McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence.

Mr. Valente learned the news on Friday, January 13 at a surprise ceremony held in his honor, during which he received a commemorative plaque from Principal Mary Rouse and Director of Schools Gary Lilly.

“I was gladly surprised by the announcement that I was a finalist. There are many deserving teachers and I feel blessed to be a finalist for the Award. It is a great honor for me,” said Mr. Valente.

Now that Mr. Valente has successfully completed the second phase, he advances to the final stage of the awards program which will culminate on Tuesday, April 12, at Radford University.

The McGlothlin Awards are among the largest teaching prizes in the U.S. They are given annually to exceptional educators from public schools in selected portions of Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky. Two teachers, one from grades K-5 and one from grades 6-12, are awarded $25,000 each, with the stipulation that $10,000 be used for international travel to broaden the thinking and experience of the winning teachers. Four finalists will also be recognized with a trophy and a check for $1,000.

BTCS Supervisor of Secondary Education Annette Tudor said, “We are very proud of Mr. Valente and this accomplishment. This achievement is indicative of the service he provides our students on a daily basis. He works diligently to provide the best educational opportunities for his students. Mr. Valente is very deserving of this honor.”

“I know that I am representing not only myself, but my colleagues at THS who work hard every day to make a difference in the lives of those with whom we come in contact in our classrooms,” Valente said.

Tom McGlothlin, President of the McGlothlin Foundation, said “Our goal is for the awards to inspire recipients, their students, their peers, and indeed, their entire school. It is our intent to find the best teachers in today's classrooms around our region. We want to recognize their fine work, reward them for it, and by so doing inspire others to the high qualities they exemplify. Certainly, this award will recognize in a rather significant way what we consider one of the most important professions-and one with so many unsung heroes."

Pictured: Evandro Valente and Principal Mary Rouse