Bullock is in her 31st year of teaching–all at the elementary school. She says it has taken a group effort to succeed this school year.

“It pulls us together as a team,” Bullock said. “We’ve had to all work together in this, all the way through the building. We’re K-12, and everyone has worked together here. We’ve had certain ones step up to positions they probably didn’t do before, but they’ve learned, and we’re learning with them every day.”

Bullock gets emotional when she thinks about the abrupt ending to the last school year.

“We need this kids. This is my life, every day for 31 years,” said Bullock. “Then March to June last year, I lost my life in the sense that these kids weren’t with me every day.”

Bullock has several students still on remote learning, but many have been in class, even if it has been in shifts. Due to spacing guidelines, the number of students in class at a particular time has been limited.

“We just now moved three feet apart which has helped,” said Bullock. “Kids can at least come back and see their friends. We can do things in small groups, but we still have to be far enough apart that we’re following all the standards.”

Bullock says another positive to come out of this school year has been the increased use of technology.

“The Chromebooks we’ve learned how to use, the Ipads and stuff that we’ve gotten to use more,” Bullock said. “The kids have gotten a lot more computer time. Before we had to share a lab. Now we all have our own lab right here with us. We each have a Chromebook in our room. They get to work on different things at different levels. That has been plus.”

“They are tech children, but this one isn’t,” Bullock said. “I’m learning. I’ve learned a lot in the last year.”

In her nomination, Kristen Minor tells us, “She has taught for 31yrs and has the biggest heart. She is a cancer survivor. She treats each student the same. She fair and consistent. I believe she is overlooked as an educator and she brings out the best in each student. She had taught all 3 of my kids and now is teaching my grandson, Paxton. She is truly an inspiration and a role model for all to look up too. She is an asset to the community and never complains! She sees the absolute best in every child and makes them feel important and loved. Good teachers like her are a rare find. She deserves this award and then some!!”

If you know of a Most Valuable Teacher, let us know. You can nominate a Most Valuable Teacher here.