Joseph’s philosophy of teaching is very simple. He believes that all students can learn and that teachers can make a difference by emphasizing the positive and rejecting the negative. He also believes that students have the right to be taught by someone who has faith in their abilities. In ever increasing numbers, York says, students view themselves as failures and their lives as without hope. As a teacher, he tells his students that an occasional setback is not the end, but actually a step closer to their goal. If we accept failure, York says, we have indeed failed; but if we learn from and in spite of that failed effort, then hope is still alive. Teachers are agents that keep hope alive.
Joseph York
Shelby, TN | Years Taught: 1970 – 1998
Additional Recognition
- 1998 • Excellence in Teaching Across Cultures Award
- 1996 • Hall of Excellence (American Childhood Education Assn.)
- 1993 • National Educator Award (Milken Family Foundation)
- 1991 • Tennessee Teacher of the Year Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Tennessee/Knoxville
- 1990 • Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Tennessee/Knoxville
- 1990 • National Thanks to Teachers Award
- 1990 • Educator of the Year Award from the Chamber of Commerce
- 1990 • Citations of Merit for Contributions to Education/Memphis City Council and Tennessee General Assembly and Bartlett City Government Joseph York Day (December 11) in Somerville and Fayette County, Tennessee
- 1990 • Teacher of the Year, Fayette-Ware High School
- 1990 • Teacher of the Year, Southwest District, Tennessee
- 1989 • Teacher of the Year, Fayette-Ware High School
- 1985 • Outstanding Teacher Award by the University of Tennessee at Martin
- 1976 • Teacher of the Year, Millington Central High School
- 1970 • Teacher of the Year, Whitehaven High School