Jeanette Gutzman, a beloved Sumner County middle school teacher, was killed in a car crash over the holiday break in Knoxville.
Gutzman was a 6th grade English Language Arts teacher at T.W. Hunter Middle School in Hendersonville.
Allen Lancaster, of the Sumner County School Board, shared the news on social media.
Gutzman’s impact on her students, families and community is clearly seen in the comments on social media.
The T.W. Hunter PTO posted the following on social media:
There are no words that can do justice for a life lost unexpectedly. A life well lived & poured into our children, for many years & even generations.
I truly believe teachers will have a special place in heaven, for ALL that they sacrifice, give, & pour into tomorrow’s future, often unseen.
To lose someone you love is never easy, no matter the circumstances, but even harder when unexpected and at the holidays.
Maybe it is not a coincidence that we are about to celebrate the birth of Jesus…”and we will call him Immanuel (God is with us).
TW Hunter is more than a school. It is a special place of community, of family, of teachers & faculty that are more than staff…they are friends. We grieve together.
PLEASE keep our TWH students, family, faculty, & more importantly Ms. Gutzman’s family in your hearts and prayers.
Former students, current school families and co-workers have been writing heartwarming messages on social media in remembrance of Gutzman. A few comments read:
“She was one of those people who made the community bigger, kinder, and more welcoming.”
“So many prayers and all the love for this amazing community and family! What a beautiful soul to know and love!”
“Jeannette was a wonderful person, full of positivity and life. ”
“Jeanette made a huge impact on our family. She was an absolute treasure and gift that invested deeply in our children and community. ”
As Lancaster stated on his Facebook Page “It’s so profound to read about the impact Ms. Gutzman had on the lives of so many students, fellow teachers, and families. The role a teacher plays in our lives has such a lasting impact.”
