The Nashville Predators have created a teacher appreciation program that will recognize teachers in the greater Nashville area for their accomplishments. The Predators Teacher of the Month program selects teachers based upon the principal's portrayal of how this teacher has impacted students, school faculty and others around them. The Predators will target a different county in the greater Nashville area each month. Applications will be distributed by the Predators to the principals.

For more information about Teacher of the Month and other education programs, please visit the Community Section of NashvillePredators.com.

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Predators Honor Guild Elementary’s Ashley Ochs as Teacher of the Month
As part of the teacher appreciation program that recognizes teachers in the greater-Nashville area for their accomplishments, the Nashville Predators have named Ashley Ochs of Guild Elementary in Gallatin, Tenn. as the October Teacher of the Month.

“Mrs. Ochs is not only a great teacher, she is an excellent role model for her students as well.” Guild Elementary School Principal Lance Taylor said. “She has a visibly positive and genuinely caring rapport with each of her students and her personal passion for learning influences her students significantly raises their own desire to learn.”

Taylor feels that Ochs is one of the most gifted and talented classroom teachers he has observed in his 17+ years in education. “She is a meticulous planner of high-quality lesson plans that meet the varied learning styles of each of her students in her class, thereby truly ensuring that no child is ‘left behind’.”

“Mrs. Ochs makes learning relevant and fun for each student and incorporates technology into her lessons in order to provide yet anther avenue by which her students may extend their learning and strengthen their understanding of academic content.”

“I think it is wonderful that people are taking the time to recognize what teachers are doing in their classroom.” Ochs had to say after receiving her certificate for Predators Teacher of the Month. “This was a complete surprise to me and I am very honored that my principal and fellow teachers felt I was deserving of this.”

Predators mascot GNASH and other staff surprised Ochs in her classroom and presented her with a tickets and Predators memorabilia. Ochs will also attend a Preds game where she will be recognized.