Westover Elementary is proud to announce that Mrs. Rachel Mitchell and Coach Daniel Mitchell have been selected as Teachers of the Year! These two outstanding educators share not only a last name but also a deep passion for shaping young minds and hearts at Westover.
Mrs. Rachel Mitchell, a first-grade teacher, is in her 17th year of teaching. A graduate of Lipscomb University, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2009 and a Master’s Degree in Education with a Reading Specialty and EL Endorsement in 2014. She has taught a variety of grade levels, but her heart has always belonged to the early years of learning.
Rachel credits her mother—a longtime second-grade teacher—as her biggest inspiration. “Watching my mother teach with both excellence and deep faith showed me what it means to be a light in education,” she shared. “I enter my classroom each morning with the purpose of being a light for Christ, allowing His love to guide my teaching and shape the way I serve my students.”
Coach Daniel Mitchell, one of Westover’s physical education teachers, brings energy, encouragement, and enthusiasm to every class he leads. His journey into teaching began unexpectedly in October 2009 when he spent a day shadowing his wife, Rachel, during her first year in the classroom. “I realized that day that I loved teaching,” he said. “I started making plans to return to college.”
Daniel earned his teaching degree on his 30th birthday and began his career at Cumberland Elementary in Nashville, where he taught PE for eight years. He later served at Andrew Jackson Elementary in Jackson, Beaver Elementary, and joined the Westover family in 2025. “I teach because I love working with students and helping them grow,” he said.
Both Rachel and Daniel are admired by students and colleagues alike for their dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence in education. Westover Elementary is proud to celebrate the Mitchells for their outstanding service and positive impact on the school community.
Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell—your Westover family is so proud of you!