Tony McMinn’s social studies class was discussing major events that had occurred within students’ lifetimes when a middle schooler posed a question that exemplifies why he teaches.
After students mentioned Hurricane Helene, COVID lockdowns and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, one student asked: If machines learn from the information people provide them, can artificial intelligence be influenced by the bias of the programmer?
“Moments like this are why I teach,” said McMinn, Polk County Middle School’s Teacher of the Year. “Seeing a middle school student independently arrive at such a complex, thought-provoking question is profoundly rewarding. It’s evidence of deep analytical reasoning—the very skill we strive to nurture.”
McMinn emphasizes that questioning is not an act of defiance but an act of discovery.
“We recognize that every new question opens the door to new understanding,” he said.
Being chosen as Teacher of the Year by his colleagues holds special meaning for McMinn because of his deep respect for the PCMS staff.
“The teachers and staff at Polk County Middle School care about their students,” McMinn said. “This care is evident in their commitment to the maintenance of high expectations for all, students and staff alike. They embody curiosity, are willing to try hard things, and they do not allow the fear of failure today to impede their progress toward success tomorrow.”
McMinn said the recognition motivates him to maintain the standard set by his colleagues and students.
In his classroom, McMinn wants students to understand that growth is a lifelong process.
“I want my students to learn that they are never finished,” he said. “There is never a point where you have perfected your craft, learned all there is to learn, or achieved all there is to be achieved. Growth is a lifelong process, and recognizing that is one of life’s greatest joys.”
What keeps McMinn passionate about teaching, even on challenging days, is his commitment to reflective practice. Each day, he asks himself key questions: What did my students learn today that they didn’t already know? What can they do today that they couldn’t do yesterday?
“If I can’t answer those questions to my satisfaction, I know it’s time to revisit the content and find ways to make it more meaningful, for my students and for myself,” McMinn said.
He believes teachers must model the resilience they expect from students.
“If we expect our students to demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, we must model it for them,” McMinn said. “That means acknowledging our mistakes, apologizing when we’re wrong, showing curiosity, and maintaining a genuine passion for learning. Ultimately, I believe that by striving to embody the work ethic and mindset we hope to instill, we not only teach content—we teach character.”
