St. Mary-Oak Ridge teacher wins state honor

TEACHER OF THE YEAR Marsha Sega receives her honor from Rafael Pubillones on April 17 in the St. Mary School library. Photo by Dan McWilliams

TEACHER OF THE YEAR Marsha Sega receives her honor from Rafael Pubillones on April 17 in the St. Mary School library. Photo by Dan McWilliams

Marsha Sega, middle school science and math teacher at St. Mary School in Oak Ridge, has been chosen as the Air Force Association’s Teacher of the Year for the state of Tennessee.
Mrs. Sega’s work in preparing her students to use and excel in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) first won her the local Air Force Association chapter’s Teacher of the Year Award. She was then chosen as the state winner and now will advance to the national competition.

“I’m thrilled, obviously,” Mrs. Sega said. “It’s nice to be recognized. I couldn’t have done it without the kids. It is a true joy and delight to teach and to teach the kids that I have. To have former students come back and say thank you, that’s neat.”

Mrs. Sega received part of her award April 17 at St. Mary School from Rafael Pubillones, secretary and vice president of aerospace education of the Knoxville Area chapter of the Air Force Association and the school’s contact on behalf of Stephen Dillenburg, chapter president. She was also honored at the AFA State Convention in Nashville on May 3.
Five of Mrs. Sega’s current students won special awards at the Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair (SASEF) on April 3. The first- and second-place winners from the high school division were also former students of St. Mary. For 11 out of the last 13 years, St. Mary’s middle school students have won grand champion at the SASEF.