Jefferson’s of Adairsville is pleased to announce that Summer Erickson has been named the first-ever Jefferson’s Adairsville Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Erickson has been a teacher for 21 years, and currently teaches US History and Psychology to 10th – 12th graders at Adairsville High School.
Mrs. Erickson was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by students and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Teachers’ Day–today, May 6–aims to recognize one of Adairsville’s many deserving educators. Jefferson’s selected Mrs. Erickson as the Adairsville Teacher of the Year for her empathetic and highly engaged teaching approach.
“Mrs. Erickson’s nominators spoke of how she cares for her students’ whole person development,” said owner/franchisee Chad Hullander. “Her students are much more than test scores to her. When the community experienced an unimaginable tragedy, Mrs. Erickson was there to console her students. Not only does she love her students, her love for history is infectious, inspiring her students’ own interest in the subject. We’re honored to recognize Mrs. Erickson for her dedication and her contribution to the Adairsville community.”
Erickson will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and her achievement will be commemorated with a “Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year” plaque for all restaurant patrons to see.
“I am just very proud of my students past and present who have gone on to make a difference in their own way,” Erickson said in a statement. “Last year I was able to take a group of students to Washington DC. We were able to pull names off the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the grandfather of one of our students. It was a very beautiful moment, and I am grateful to be at Adairsville High School teaching for the community that gave me so much.”
This year is the pilot run for the Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year award, launched as a sister program to Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award, which runs in the fall. The teachers’ initiative was open to teachers working with students of any age, and candidates could be nominated by students, parents and guardians of students, school officials, or other community members.
If you’d like to congratulate Summer Erickson or share a story about her as a teacher, please do so by commenting on her winner announcement post on Facebook and Instagram.
