Bio of the Year Recipient, Teresa Hagy, Celebrates a Lifetime of Achievement in Education, Enjoys Special Times Square Appearance

Teresa J. Hagy selected as Biography of the Year (2019) in America's Registry

Teresa J. Hagy is a first-grade teacher at Washington Lee Elementary School in Bristol, TN. She received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Virginia Intermont College in 1972, and her M.E. in Education from the University of Virginia in 1976. As a tireless champion of elementary education, it can never be said that Teresa Hagy does not care enough about the well-being and mental, physical and emotional growth of the children to whom she has so selflessly devoted her life. She is a compassionate, giving individual gifted with the God-given virtues of patience and intelligence. Ms. Hagy is a traditional woman, in that she values the mores and ways of a bygone era. This, she feels, is precisely what her students and the world at large sorely need in this day and age. However, she is not stuck in the past in any way, as she has continued to develop with the constantly moving world of education – be it technological growth or otherwise. Ms. Hagy entered the public-school system in 1975, following three years of teaching at a demonstration school for the Virginia Intermont College, where she also served as a Clinical Instructor of Education.  This, she feels, gave her the confident and successful career start which she enjoyed. She has taught grades one through six (sans 2^nd grade) and has amassed a tremendous foundation of knowledge based on this experience. During her tenure at Washington Lee Elementary, Ms. Hagy has helped develop curriculum tests for the school system; she has conducted workshops on teaching techniques; and she has lectured on educational topics, amongst countless other career highlights – far too many to contain in any biographical sketch of overview. She belongs to the following affiliations: National Education Association; Virginia Education Association; Bristol Virginia Education Association; Delta Kappa Gamma; International Reading Association; Virginia Reading Association; Southwest Virginia Reading Council; Member, Church Librarian, Chair of Women's Circle, Member of Church Choir, Song Leader, Chair of Christian's Women's Fellowship and 1st-3rd grades Sunday School Teacher at the Central Christian Church (as well as a pre-school choir).

Throughout her storied career, Teresa Hagy has claimed a seemingly never-ending series of outside awards, honors, commendations and special distinctions and memberships from Strathmore's Who's Who, America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals and Cambridge Who's Who. Ms. Hagy was mentored early in her career by the venerable Dr. Richard W. Van Deren, who authored the following recommendation letter in 1975:

St. Anne Demonstration School
350 Euclid Ave.
Bristol, Virginia, 24201

February 14, 1975

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

It has been my extreme good fortune to know Ms. Hagy for approximately five years. She is an enchanting person and a highly competent, dedicated teacher. It is my judgment that a school system would indeed be most fortunate to secure her services.

I first knew Ms. Hagy as a college student completing a baccalaureate program in elementary education. Ms. Hagy was enrolled in two classes which I taught, and also I was her faculty advisor. I had the pleasure of observing her frequently during her student teaching assignment. It was evident to me and her classroom supervising teacher that Ms. Hagy was a young lady with enormous potential and much to offer to the teaching profession. So impressed was I with her enthusiasm for teaching and children that I hired her to teach fourth grade at the Demonstration School of Virginia Intermont College.

After teaching fourth grade for two years, I asked her to take on a first grade assignment. While I was very pleased with Ms. Hagy's performance as a middle-school teacher, I find her especially well-suited to teaching primary grade children. While she is very competent in teaching all areas of the curriculum, her very special contribution is her ability to instill a love of learning and good attitudes toward school in the children she teaches.

In my work as Director of Teacher Education and Demonstration School Principal for Virginia Intermont College, I deal, in varieties of ways with pre-service and in-service teachers. Frequently my job involves evaluating their effectiveness- real and potential. I reserve my highest ratings and praise for those few whom I would welcome to teach my own children. I feel I would be a most fortunate parent to have my children taught by one such as Ms. Hagy.

Please call on me at any time to further clarify Ms. Hagy's personal and professional qualifications.

Cordially yours,
Richard W. Van Deren

As part of our ongoing effort to preserve and honor America's truly unsung heroes, a special multi-episode installment of Strathmore Online Radio will be devoted to educators who truly make a difference every day of their lives; educators whose students never forget them … even the little ones! Teresa Hagy is no stranger to this sort of influence and, as such, she has been granted the flagship podcast in this special episode arc coming soon. The program itself will be a veritable treasure trove of information about Ms. Hagy, as provided by the woman herself.  

"Having worked with Teresa Hagy for many years, I can personally attest to the fact that she is a professional of the utmost sincerity and experience," says Richard Chastek, Senior Director of 2 Brothers Worldwide Publishing, earlier this week.  He continued to point out: "She is a kind, giving woman who has consistently shined bright as a highlight of so many days.  I wouldn't normally say this, at the risk of overstepping a line, but I really do view Teresa Hagy as equal parts friend and client.  Working on her account has been one of the true great pleasures of my professional life, and knowing her has been an enriching experience in every possible way."

Scott Stone, Executive Vice President of 2 Brothers Worldwide Publishing, has assisted Mr. Chastek and especially Ms. Hagy in allowing much of this "magic" to take place.  He offered the following statement:

"I couldn't be happier to see Teresa in such a good place, back in the warmth and care of 2 Brothers WW Publishing, especially following her many trials and tribulations.  Right now, at this moment, she doing such wonderful things and the future is so bright in so many ways.  In fact, I believe the next few months will define Teresa Hagy's legacy for the ages, in the most significant way possible.  Anything I've done to help move things along has been merely incidental to Teresa's accomplishments and the actualization of her dreams." 

America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals "Biography of the Year": This singular position has officially been filled by an equally singular professional; the inimitable Teresa J. Hagy. In a triumph to top all triumphs, against all odds, Ms. Hagy won the hearts and minds of the editorial staff and board of directors, securing what can only be described as an underdog victory story. Not only is this the first time an elementary educator has claimed this coveted position, but it is also the first time a Tennessee native has done so. Teresa Hagy, we salute you on a career well done and a life well lived indeed. It is our only hope that you can continue to flourish and succeed in the ways that only a good, God-fearing person can.

ABOUT US

Strathmore's Who's Who and America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals each publish annual two-thousand-page hard cover biographical registries, honoring successful individuals in the fields of Business, the Arts and Sciences, Law, Engineering and Government. Based on one's position and lifetime of accomplishments, they honor professional men and women in all academic areas and professions. Inclusion is limited to individuals who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in their occupation, industry or profession.

Contact: Ann Marie Barone, 516-997-2525 ext. 100, [email protected]

SOURCE Strathmore's Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.strathmoreworldwide.com