One day as eight-year-old Allison Chassereau watched the morning news, one story caught her attention.
As WTOC's Top Teacher segment finished, Allison looked at her mother,
and said that her teacher should be a top teacher, too!
At the time Allison was in Ashley Phillips' second grade class at Metter
Elementary School.
"She's so nice, and she always made us laugh," said Allison, who is now in third grade.
Allison, the daughter of Doug and Karen Chassereau of Metter, meant what she said. She immediately had her mother help her print and submit
the Top Teacher form.So on Friday, when Jody Chapin and her cameraman came into the school, it could only mean one thing--Ashley Phillips was WTOC's Top Teacher.
"I was so excited and honored
to receive this award, especially so early in my career,"
said Phillips.
Even though Phillips says she was nervous to be on camera, she was excited to see her students' reaction.
And what a reaction they had! As Jody announced on camera that Phillips was "this week's WTOC Top Teacher," her students clapped and cheered in her support.
"It was such a neat experience
to share with my students,"
said Phillips. "They were so excited."
MES principal Lesa Brown said that as WTOC conducted their interviews she was so proud she had to fight back the tears.
Brown commented that even though Phillips is fresh out of college, she "seems more like an experienced teacher."
"She is original and fun...teaching comes natural to her," said Brown.
While in college at Georgia Southern University, Phillips
did her student teaching at MES, and came to work at the school after she graduated
in 2006.
Former principallotte Coursey, who hired Phillips, commented that she was a wonderful teacher from the start of her career at MES.
"She showed great promise
from the beginning as being a master teacher," said Coursey. "She worked hard and really wanted to see all of her students succeed."
Phillips said that as a teacher, she wants to be a motivation and inspiration to her students, and judging by the response of her students and peers, she already is!

Courtesy of The Metter Advertiser