Eighteen people were recognized as Tennessee's top educators Thursday night, October 17, 2002 at the Mrs. Grissom's Salads 2003 Excellence in Education Awards banquet in Nashville.

Susan Bunch, a Supervisor at Henderson County Schools was named Supervisor of the Year; Ms. Robbie Robinson McGowan, a Principal at Mooreland Heights Elementary, Knoxville received the Principal of the Year award and Deborah Smith, a Kindergarten teacher at Glencliff Elementary School, Metro Nashville Schools received the 2003 Teacher of the Year award. The award ceremonies climaxed a month-long search throughout the state for Tennessee's best supervisors, principals and teachers. Each will receive $5,000 to be used towards making their schools even better.

Supervisor of the Year Susan Bunch Supervisor Henderson County Schools

Principal of the Year Ms. Robbie Robinson McGowan Principal Mooreland Heights Elementary, Knoxville

Teacher of the Year Deborah Smith Kindergarten teacher Glencliff Elementary School, Metro Nashville Schools

Fifteen semifinalists were also recognized and each will receive $1,000 for their schools. The semifinalists included:

Karen White 1st grade teacher, Cherokee Elementary School, Johnson City Schools

Wanda Gray 5th grade teacher Richland Elementary School, Memphis City Schools

Debbie Smotherman 7-10th grade teacher Martin Luther King Magnet School, Metro Nashville Schools

Sharon Anderson 11th grade U.S. History and Newspaper Production teacher Cookeville High School, Putnam County Public Schools

Kim Mullins 9th - 10th grade World Cultural Studies teacher East Ridge High School, Hamilton County Schools

Mr. Stan M. Baskin Principal Homer Pittard Campus School, Murfreesboro

Ms. Marsha Hamblen Carr Principal Griffith Elementary School, Dunlap

Mr. Joel Giffin Principal Maryville Middle School, Maryville

Ms. Sara Liechty Principal Jack T. Farrar Elementary, Tullahoma

Ms. Vivian T. Woods Principal Snow Hill Elementary, Etowah

Robbie Anderson Supervisor Johnson City Schools

Teri Anderson Supervisor Putnam County Schools

Dean Holland Supervisor Tullahoma City Schools

Brooke Hodges Supervisor Huntingdon Special School District

Nancy Williamson Supervisor Oneida Special School District

The winners were selected from a field of nominees gathered from around the state through participating Kroger stores and online at mrsgrissoms.com.

"The purpose of this program was to recognize and reward the very best among Tennessee's educators," said Grace Grissom, founder of Mrs. Grissom's Salads and sponsor of the program. "I'm very proud of all of Tennessee's educators and the positive impact they have on the lives of our children."

Left to Right: Susan Bunch-Supervisor of the Year Deborah Smith-Teacher of the Year Mrs. Grissom Robbie Robinson McGowan-Principal of the Year

Nominees underwent a rigorous evaluation process by a selection committee to make it to the finals. "We let those closest to the educators tell us who is doing the best job," commented Faye Taylor, Commissioner of Education for the State of Tennessee. "The Department of Education appreciates Mrs. Grissom's Salads for underwriting this very worthwhile program," continued Taylor. "It is this type of support from the business community that makes Tennessee such a wonderful place to live and raise our families."

Left to Right: Cindy Benefield-Excecutive Director, Professional Development for School Improvement Mrs. Grissom Jeff Roberts- Deputy Commissioner of Education

Left to Right: Kenneth Funger-Executive V.P., Mrs. Grissom's Salads, Inc. Mrs. Grissom Janet Patterson-Tennessee Radio Network