LINCOLN COUNTY, Tenn. — When kids walk into Mrs. Marty LeBlanc's engineering classroom at Lincoln County High School they feel welcomed, excited, and comfortable.
"By all means, my room is a safe room and I make sure the kids know that if you need to talk, or just need to chill for a few minutes, come on in," shares Marty LeBlanc, the Valley's Top Teacher. "If I can help you with English, I cannot say I'm great at English, but we will do the best we can."
That's exactly what Project Lead The Way educator Mrs. LeBlanc is known for: being there for anyone at anytime.
"She helps us with everything and gets to know us," says Colton Monks, a senior student. "She talks to us as a friend, not like a teacher."
"She has like adopted me," smiles Ana Seiler, a junior student. "That is what she does with her excelling engineering kids and robotics kids, she just adopts them."
"She is really nice and she really cares for us," says Carter Monks, a sophomore student. "She is a great teacher and really helps us out in any other classes we need help in, including her class."
Mrs. LeBlanc takes the time to help kids excel. Her room is filled with high-tech equipment used in real engineering facilities. Students a lot of hands on projects, like 3D printing and solar powered cars. Many students are so inspired by her, that they now want to be engineers someday.
"She just really got through to me," explains Ana Seiler. "Then I started Robotics Club and that just kind of helped everything, so I for sure want an engineering career because of her."
Mrs. LeBlanc is at school long after the bell to leave, tutoring kids and coaching the robotics club. She even helps her former students, and parents of students, who are now graduated and taking college courses.
"If they're in college now and they are having a hard time and struggling, I can help them. You know I just stick with my kids, they are always going to be my kids, and they know that."
Mrs. LeBlanc is a role model to her students in many ways. Both in the classroom and even up in the sky.
"You know, whatever you want to do in life, go for it," smiles Mrs. LeBlanc. "I mean, I am a student pilot, I am getting ready to check ride. I am 55-years-old learning to fly. It is another thing I am passionate about."
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