KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Jana Engle, Dobyns-Bennett High School German teacher, has been selected as a Joyce Ward Teacher of the Year by the Tennessee World Language Teaching Association (TWLTA).

The Joyce Ward Teacher of the Year award, named in memory of Joyce Ward, a former recipient of the award and former TWLTA President, is presented annually by TWLTA to an outstanding K-12 world language educator.

“We are thrilled and honored that Mrs. Engle has received recognition for this achievement,” said Dr. Brian Tate, Dobyns-Bennett High School Principal. “Her dedication to her students and her unwavering advocacy for teaching of the world languages, particularly German, is remarkable.”

According to TWLTA, Jana is, "Known for her innovative teaching from German 1 to AP German Language and Culture, she integrates technology, film studies, guest speakers, and role-playing to engage students in meaningful language learning.”

“I am honored to receive this recognition from the excellent educators of TWLTA and humbled to have been nominated by my colleagues,” said Engle.

Engle has coordinated the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) since 2003, where Dobyns-Bennett students have the opportunity to travel to Berlin providing hands-on cultural experiences. Under Engle’s leadership in GAPP, Dobyns-Bennett has earned the prestigious PASCH Designation from the German government; which aims to motivate young people to learn German, its culture, and to create an international network. In addition, Engle leads the school’s Tennessee Seal of Biliteracy program.

Engle has taught for 23 years with 22 of those years teaching at Dobyns-Bennett. She is the current vice president of the Tennessee chapter of American Association of Teachers of German. Engle graduated Summa Cum Laude from Emory University with a Bachelors in German Studies and East Tennessee State University with a Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in Teaching German.

For more information about TWLTA visit www.twlta.org.

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice, and an alternative learning program; with a total enrollment of over 7,400 students.

KCS has been ranked the "#1 Best Place to Teach in Tennessee" by the 2023 NICHE Best Schools Ranking and the City of Kingsport has been voted as the "Nicest Places in America" in the October 2022 Reader's Digest.

For more information visit www.k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, or call the KCS Administrative Support Center at (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (kcsdistrict), Instagram (kcs__district), and check out our YouTube Channel (@kcs__district).