The Jobs for Tennessee Graduates Program recognized McNairy County teacher Molly Stanfield with the Outstanding Specialist Award for being a "High Performer" for the class of 2008.

This is the first time a teacher in McNairy County has received this award.

Mrs. Stanfield was honored at the 26^th National Conference and Training Seminar held in Atlanta, Ga., July 15-17 2009. She was the recipient of this wooden plaque because she met the Workforce Investment Act benchmarks for both high schools.

Mrs. Stanfield commented, "This award means a lot to me. I am very proud to represent both McNairy Central and Adamsville High School at the National level. I am also proud that we have such dedicated students in the program who take advantage of the opportunities available through JTG and WIA."

She began teaching in 2007, after graduating from McNairy Central in 2004 and Lambuth University in 2007.

Stanfield enjoys getting to interact with students and getting to help seniors prepare for their life after high school. However, she does not enjoy the "mounds of paperwork" involved in the national program, Job’s for America’s Graduates (JAG).

The state, JTG program is a statewide program that helps high school seniors stay in high school and transition to work or further education after high school graduation. The JTG program is a part of the JAG program, which serves students in America and the United Kingdom.

In the local JTG programs at McNairy Central High School and Adamsville High School, students’ work skills are reinforced during their graduation year. The students learn how to write a resume, find a job, be a good interviewee, and have good work ethics. They may also be eligible to work with the WIA program that helps students get summer jobs and continue their education after high school.

Students involved in the JTG program are a part of the Career Association club. They have the opportunity to become officers, attend trainings and state competitions, apply for JTG scholarships, and compete regionally.

Mrs. Stanfield said that, "JTG students are a great asset to the community by providing educated individuals for local businesses to employ."