Home| Museum | NTHF Quick Facts | Inductees | Nominate a Teacher | Teacher Recognition | Support NTHF | Ask an Inductee | Contact Us | Previous Page
Dr. Penny B. Ferguson
English, Grade 11, Maryville High School, Maryville, Tennessee
Total years as a classroom teacher: 38
EDUCATION
| 1988 | University of Tennessee | Ed.D. |
| 1981 | University of Tennessee | Ed.S. |
| 1974 | University of Tennessee | M.A., Education |
| 1969 | Maryville College | B.A., Education |
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
| 1970-present | Grade 11, English, Maryville High School, Maryville, Tennessee |
| 1991-present | Teacher Education, Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee |
| 1969-1970 | Grade 7, English, John Sevier Elementary, Maryville, Tennessee |
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
| 2007 | Tennessee Education Association Teacher of Excellence |
| 2007 | Selected as Director of Tennessee Center of Activity for National School Reform Faculty |
| 2006 | Recognized as a National Facilitator, National School Reform Faculty |
| 2003 | Disney American Teacher Award |
| 2003 | National Education Association Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence |
| 2003 | USA Today All-American Teacher Team, honorable mention |
| 2003 | National Council of Teachers of English Teacher of Excellence Award |
| 2003 | Recognized in Resolution No. 1083 for outstanding service to youth of Tennessee, State of Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate |
| 2002 | Chevy Malibu / Time Magazine Teaching Excellence Award |
| 2002 | Unsung Heroes Award, Northern Life Insurance |
| 1998 | Outstanding Teacher Award, Governor’s School for International Studies |
| 1997 | 21st Century Educator of the Year Award, 21st Century Magazine |
| 1996 | Good Neighbor Teaching Award, National Council of Teachers of English and State Farm |
- Penny feels that among the greatest gifts she gives her students are the tools to succeed in whatever academic environment they encounter.
- She wants her students to realize they must be lifelong learners and that they should not be content to think they have “learned it all.”
“[Penny Ferguson] exemplifies all characteristics of an outstanding teacher because of her dedication and her enthusiasm for the teaching profession. Her merits are limitless as reflected in her professionalism, knowledge of the subject matter, teaching performance, and the success of and praise from her students.”
Mike Dalton, Director of Schools, Maryville City Schools
“Dr. Penny Ferguson is one of the best teachers I have ever had. She is all that you expect from a teacher—patient, loving, demanding, strict—and she knows what each of her students is capable of achieving.”
Jarred C. Cook, Former Student