Thaxton, King and Lyons named secondary teachers of the year

Amy Thaxton, Adrienne King and Amy Lyons are Madison’s teachers of the year in secondary schools.

At Bob Jones High School, Thaxton has taught English for eight years. This year, she will work as instructional coach. She sponsors Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

A native Madisonian, Thaxton graduated in 1999 from Bob Jones and earned a bachelor’s degree in language arts at Athens State University.

Thaxton considers all of her students as “special in their own way. I truly love them as individuals. I love my students where they are and then helping them be successful in all areas of life.”

Husband Wade teaches sixth graders at Mill Creek Elementary School and is Bob Jones’ assistant softball coach. The son Tatum is 21 months old.

“I began my teaching career in 2007 at Discovery Middle School,” King said. She teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math.

King grew up in Ogden, Utah. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Oakwood University and a master’s degree in math education at Alabama A & M University.

“Several students have touched my life over the years,” King said. “Two students in particular came into class every day and said, ‘Good morning,’ and asked how I was. They showed that they truly cared about me.”

Kings sponsors the LEGO Robotics Club. “I enjoy learning from my students and bettering myself every day,” she said.

At Liberty Middle School, Lyons has taught eight-grade science for nine years. She previously worked at Lee High School and Jackson (Tenn.) Christian School.

A Florence native, she holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in education from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn.

Lyons is especially close to her last Liberty basketball team, who graduated this year from Bob Jones. “We all shared the same passion to win. I was proud of them five years ago. I’m even more proud of the people they have become.”

“Middle school can be so difficult. Often, kids need someone to help them along the way. Each day brings a new challenge for both students and teachers,” Lyons said.