Katrina Hill is one of the Teachers of the Year at East Side Elementary. She teaches fourth- and fifth-grade math, science and spelling. She has five-and-one-half years’ teaching experience.

Ms. Hill earned an associate degree at Jackson State Community College, then continued her education at the University of Memphis where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She also holds a Master of Education Degree that she earned at Trevecca Nazarene University. She taught computer classes at Haywood Elementary for two years before becoming one of the first-grade teachers for a year. She transferred to Sunny Hill School for two years and taught math, science and spelling before moving to East Side Intermediate School this year. She served as Area Dean of Mathematics at Sunny Hill and has been a tutor for the AAA program. In addition, she is a mentor for new teachers.

Ms. Hill was recognized as an Educational Leader and Mentor for the National Young Scholars Program in October 2012. She was also recognized for increasing her students’ TVAAS math scores in 2011-2012.

Wendy Piercey is also a Teacher of the Year at East Side Intermediate School. She teaches fourth- and fifth-grade reading, language arts and social studies. She has taught for 12 years.

Ms. Piercey holds a BS Degree in Human Learning K-8 from the University of Tennessee at Martin. She taught at Sunny Hill Elementary before coming to East Side Intermediate School this school year. She is a member of the TEA and NEA.

She has served as the school-wide Reading Initiative chairperson, a presenter for Writing Inservice, a cooperating teacher for a student teacher, a mentor and a reading lead teacher. Ms. Piercey was selected as Teacher of the Year at Sunny Hill in 2008-2009 and in 2011-2012.