Oakland High School Theatre Teacher Named TPAC Teacher of the Year

April Gunter, a theatre teacher at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, has been named the 2015 Teacher of the Year by the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

Over the past 10 years, Gunter has actively participated in TPAC Education programs, arranging field trips for students to see plays, applying TPAC lesson plans in her classroom, and regularly attending professional development training offered by Humanities Outreach in Tennessee (HOT), TPAC's annual season for young people.

"You could say that April Gunter is both a star teacher and student through her participation in TPAC Education programs. Few educators have attended more of our workshops than she has," said Cassie LaFevor, HOT manager. "She's an outstanding teacher who fully incorporates arts education methods into her classroom, challenging and engaging her students in fun and meaningful ways. She encourages critical thinking and self-expression, skills that are vital to academic achievement across the curriculum, along with success in college and careers later in life. We appreciate her efforts and see the positive impact she makes in her entire school community."

Gunter consistently involves teachers and students from a variety of classrooms in theatre production at her school including English, history, science, math, cosmetology, construction, and visual art. She has coordinated student participation in Oakland Mansion's annual reenactment of 19th century life and Barfield's Haunted Woods (winning a top honor in 2014 for the concept her students created). She also encourages faculty across curriculum to take part in TPAC Education programs, including professional development opportunities.

"One of the main reasons why theatre is important to our students' education is that it carries over into their lives in so many ways. Students who produce theatre in high school, for example, gain confidence and discover their own unique voices, preparing them for job interviews and public speaking in later years." said Gunter. "Producing theatre at Oakland, seeing plays at TPAC, and utilizing TPAC Education resources, our students develop understanding and appreciation for other cultures. They make relevant connections between the works of art and their world, including their relationships with other people."

A life-long resident of Rutherford County, Gunter was active in the theatre program of Smyrna High School, which inspired her to pursue a career in teaching. Now living in Murfreesboro, she earned a bachelor's degree in theatre from Middle Tennessee State University.

Gunter's application for the award was supplemented by glowing letters of support from a colleague and students.

"Our students deserve the best education possible and the chance to be a part of productions that give them a great sense of accomplishment and pride. In addition to studying and producing theatre in high school, TPAC's commitment to their education gives them endless opportunities to foster their creativity," Gunter said.

In its 21st year, the Teacher of the Year Award includes a $500 grant for the recipient's school.

Institutional sponsors for TPAC include Nissan North America and Coca-Cola. TPAC is funded in part by support from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission.

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