ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) -- Susan Dugger hasn't always been a teacher. Her first career was in employment training, but she decided to make a change.
Dugger has led the Elizabethton City Schools Wandell Early Learning Center for 23 years.
Dugger's Pre-K classroom is full of energy and ambition. It starts with the room itself, full of color and positive reinforcement.
"I like bright and cheery," Dugger said. "I still like the preschool colors. I want them to look around and it look like Candyland. Environment is very important."
You can also find pictures of former students that have been given to her throughout the years, including a famous face on News Channel 11: Jayonna Scurry.
Scurry was not only in Dugger's preschool class but also a member of the Elizabethton Cheer Team when Dugger was the coach.
"She's just relatable," Scurry said. "She's a good educator because she gets the children. She comes down to our level and just understands it."
That's the greatest success for Dugger; she is a constant in an ever-changing world, passing on a love of learning to her students.
"Longevity is number one," Travis Thompson, Director of Wandell Early Learning Center, said. "Being able to just naturally connect with people and students goes above and beyond is something that's hard to teach. It comes natural for [Dugger]."
"I'm blessed every day that I wake up and God gives me that opportunity to teach," Dugger said.
Congratulations to Susan Dugger, this week's Educator of the Week.
To nominate an educator you feel is deserving of being featured as an Educator of the Week, click here.