Educator of the Week: Makayla Zelenka

It’s time now to recognize this week’s Educator of the Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Education Lottery.

Makayla Zelenka is a second-grade teacher at Trenton Elementary School in Gibson County.

“This is my first year teaching. So these kids have been going through it with me since I started. So my favorite part about it is just seeing them every day and watching them grow,” Zelenka said.

Zelenka expressed that the beginning of the year was a struggle but that her kids helped her a lot.

“I love this grade. I don’t want to leave second grade. It’s a great mix of the kids where you can have, you know, those one-to-one conversations with them. You can build relationships with them, and you’re also teaching them, and they’re excited to learn,” Zelenka said.

Zelenka wants to encourage educators to stick with it even when it’s difficult.

“New teachers, this is a hard profession. It really is. But if you have your heart in the right place and you know that every day you’re going to make mistakes, and if you have an understanding of that, then you’ll be fine,” Zelenka said.

Zelenka is honored by the nomination.

“I am so grateful and thankful for whoever did nominate me because, I mean, this is a huge opportunity. And I’m so glad that my kids got to see this and it makes me feel a lot better about my teaching and how I deal with my kids,” Zelenka said.

Zelenka is now eligible for the Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award.

To vote for her or any other nominees, go to the Tennessee Education Lottery website.

To nominate an educator for our Educator of the Week award, email us at [email protected].