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“She had a profound influence over my life, especially in high school. She
taught us to believe in ourselves and we could do anything.”
Those comments came from
Austin Peay State University senior April Cheatham, Dover, in her nomination.
Thanks to Cheatham, Baggett will become the first recipient of this newly
established award—the only one of its kind among Tennessee colleges and
universities. The APSU Distinguished High School Teacher Award, to be presented annually,
enables each APSU senior to nominate one high school teacher who made a
significant difference in his/her life. Nominations were
accepted Nov. 1-Dec. 1, 2005, after which a committee reviewed
them, contacted the nominees’ principals for input and,
ultimately, selected Baggett.
APSU President Dr. Sherry Hoppe will pay tribute to Baggett and
present her a $1,000 check May 5 during an invitation-only Commencement
luncheon, which Cheatham also will attend. Later that day, Hoppe will recognize
Baggett during Commencement exercises.
“I was a very shy freshman when I first met (Mrs. Baggett),” said
Cheatham. “She took the time to learn about the things I liked to do, and she
encouraged me to compete in a keyboarding contest through BPA (Business
Professionals of America). “I did—and I went all the way to state competition. I would have never done that
had she not taken the time to show me some attention when no one else did.”
By Cheatham’s senior year in high school, she was a BPA officer and
was competing in many business contests, ultimately winning seventh place in a
national competition.
Baggett, the first recipient of the Distinguished High School
Teacher Award, graduated from APSU in 1981 with a Bachelor of Business
Administration and 8-12 certification. In 1998, she received a master’s degree
in education with a concentration in business from APSU, as well as earning a
Career Level III Tennessee Teaching Certification.
Her outstanding record as a teacher already has been recognized
publicly. In 2003, after nominations by her peers, Baggett
received the Channel 4 Apple of the Teacher Award. In 2004,
through nominations from her students, she received the FOX 17
Top Teacher Award. |
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