Diane Glenn began her career as a nurse but, in her heart, she has always been a teacher.
“Nursing from day one is education,” Glenn said. “That’s what I’ve been doing all this time. We don’t call nurses educators, but nurses know we are teachers.” She noted that nurses teach patients to stay healthy, how to get better if they are sick and how to cope with long-term illnesses and medical conditions.
Glenn is new to the Carroll County Area Technology Center, where she began teaching pre-nursing in August. “I have a connection to this type of setting,” she said, noting she attended vocational school when she was a high school student.
The connection to education, nursing and her students has led the ATC to nominate her as Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced in the Fall of 2024. A total of 24 teachers throughout the state will be honored.
“I am happy to have nominated Diane for Teacher of the Year because, quite simply, she already does all of the things a top-notch educator should be doing,” said ATC Student Advisor Chad Rose. “Despite her status as a first year teacher, Diane is meticulous in her preparation, consistent in her expectations, and thoughtful in her relationships with students and staff.”
Glenn teaches pre-nursing students principles of health, leadership, medical terminology, emergency procedures, medical math, body structures and functions, and hands-on practice to become a Certified Medical Nursing Assistant. A number of the courses are dual-credit with JCTC. Within two years of the program, her students will be able to work in a nursing home setting. They can then advance their education to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner.
Glenn said she was surprised and humbled by the nomination. “I was shocked. I was very humbled. I was like, my gosh, this is just my first year. I don’t know that I feel worthy.”
Her colleagues and students believe she is definitely worthy.
“Diane is an excellent candidate for this nomination because she seems to innately have some of the characteristics that every principal hopes to find or develop in all of his teaching staff,” ATC Principal Kirk Brooks said. “One of the most important things she does so well is maintain a balance of love and high expectations. Diane has mastered the ability to make students feel cared about, but also hold them accountable, and even expect them to improve and grow as nursing students and leaders.”
CCHS students Summer Robertson, Katie Hensley and Grace Perkins agreed their teacher is worthy of the nomination for Teacher of the Year.
“She helps us when we need it,” Hensley, a junior, said. Not only is she helpful in the classroom, but she was kind enough to help Robertson find a winter coat. “I feel closer as a class. She brings us together,” Robertson said.
Perkins added that she has learned a lot this year from Glenn, who she described as “very involved.” All said they are enjoying the hands-on aspect of their program.
Glenn has worked as an elementary school nurse, family nurse practitioner in primary and urgent care settings and in 2019 became an adjunct professor for the Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science nursing programs at the University of the Cumberlands. In addition, she has led the medical side of foster care programs for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and she trains foster parents to care for medically complex children.
The nurse turned educator says she is “very impressed” with the ATC students and team. “I want to settle in, and I want a good team that supports each other and can thrive. This has been it. We are a family,” she said with a smile.
“I believe in lifelong learning. I like to learn, but I also like to teach. It’s like I’ve been meant to be here.”