In FOCUS - Amanda McKinney

Amanda Tate McKinney. A lifelong resident of Hancock County that continues to make us Hometown proud of her. If I were to give this blog post a title, it would be: The Power of a Teacher’s Encouragement.  Amanda’s name was submitted as someone to Focus on because of the impact she made on this individual as a student. Because of Amanda’s influence and unrelenting encouragement – this once struggling student, went on to pursue higher education themselves and is becoming a success all their own. An encouraging teacher sees potential where others may only see challenges. They recognize that every student learns differently and that confidence often grows from a single kind word, a patient explanation, or the reassurance that mistakes are simply stepping stones to success. That describes Amanda and her teaching style to a T.

Amanda grew up as the proud daughter of Hugh and Tina (Chambers) Tate of New Cumberland. She married Steve McKinney and together they have two beautiful daughters, Madelynn and Karsynn.  Always striving to be the best she can be, Amanda graduated as Valedictorian from Oak Glen High School in 2003. From there she went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts Degree from West Liberty in Mathematics Education, her Master of Science in Education from Franciscan University, and completed her Principal Licensure through Salem University in 2024. She has worked for Hancock County schools for the last 19 years. All of those have been teaching high school math except for the last two years, where she was assistant principal and the athletic director at Oak Glen Middle School. With the current state of the county and the budget cuts which brought reductions in the force, Amanda is headed back to the classroom this fall to teach math once again at Oak Glen High School. No doubt about it – you can see the smile on her face, and the passion in her soul for teaching math. (She’s so passionate about math, I was about ready to take a math course myself.)

There are few gifts more powerful than genuine encouragement, and few people have the opportunity to give it as often as a teacher. Long after lessons are forgotten and textbooks are closed, students remember the teacher who believed in them when they struggled, celebrated their successes, and reminded them that they were capable of more than they imagined. The best teachers don't just teach reading, writing, science, or math—they teach resilience. They show compassion, model integrity, and create an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and capable of achieving great things.

Our communities are blessed with so many great teachers that do just that very thing every single day. One thing that makes Amanda different from some others is the way she sees potential in her students. She’s always believed that every person is unique and has their own gifts, talents, and abilities. She says, “Sometimes, all they need is someone to believe in them, encourage them, and help point them in the right direction.” That core belief has shaped the way she approaches education. She truly believes every child can learn and deserves an equal opportunity to succeed. It isn't always easy, and every student learns differently, but Amanda has found that encouragement and genuine support can make all the difference. When someone begins to see their own potential, amazing things can happen. “If I can help someone recognize what they're capable of and give them the confidence to pursue it, then I feel like I've made a meaningful difference. Seeing others grow, succeed, and believe in themselves is one of the most rewarding parts of who I am,” said Amanda.

The influence of a teacher extends far beyond the classroom. Their words become the quiet voice students carry into job interviews, college classrooms, athletic competitions, and life's greatest challenges. A teacher's belief can inspire a child to dream bigger, work harder, and refuse to give up. Amanda shared with me that she had such a teacher in her own life. Her sixth-grade teacher at New Cumberland Elementary, Mrs. Carolyn Allison. Her classroom is where Amanda’s dream of becoming a teacher truly began. Amanda says, “She was everything I hoped to be one day—passionate, caring, patient, and dedicated to her students.” That lifelong impact motivates Amanda to try and emulate the same for her students.

Amanda was fortunate to have other powerful and meaningful influences in her life. One was her dad, Hugh Tate, who published the Hancock County Courier. She says that he was one of the hardest-working people she’s ever known. He often worked two or even three jobs to provide the best life possible for her and her siblings.  As an adult, and parent, Amanda now has an even greater appreciation for the sacrifices he made and the example he set of hard work, dedication, and putting family first.  As a child, Amanda spent a lot of time at the family business, the Hancock County Courier. Young Amanda could be spotted there helping with all kinds of jobs, from proofreading articles and lists for the paper, to printing, folding, and assembling things like the Oak Glen football programs and the area phone books. She shares that the best memories, though, came from delivering those phone books throughout the 564-telephone area. In our rural area, Amanda and her Dad often found themselves in some unforgettable situations along the way such as; ripping off a car mirror, accidentally hitting mailboxes, and even being chased by a flock of turkeys, just to name a few! Those adventures still make her laugh. She didn’t realize it at the time, but those were special moments, and memories she cherishes. Those experiences also taught her the value of hard work.

Her maternal grandmother, who they affectionally called “Little Grandma” also played a huge role in her childhood. Since both of her parents worked, Little Grandma spent a lot of time caring for them. Amanda says that her grandma taught her so much—not only about gardening, cooking, and putting together jigsaw puzzles, but also about faith, kindness, and the importance of loving your family well. Amanda fondly remembers that Little Grandma had the biggest heart and showed that love in everything she did.

Amanda shares that the most important lesson she’s learned in life is to cherish every moment you have with your family while they're here. She lost both of her parents at a young age, and there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn’t wish for just one more day  with them. She has learned that time with the people you love is something you can never get back. That's why she strives to make the most of the moments she has with her family, creating memories and appreciating the time they share together. Having most of her family nearby makes Hancock County even more special to her. Family is so important to Amanda, and she is grateful to live in a close-knit community where those connections and relationships mean so much. One of Amanda’s greatest joys is being a Mom. Her daughters mean the world to her! She celebrates their accomplishments, stands beside them through their challenges, and pours the same patience and encouragement into them that she shares with her students. It’s easy to see that Madelynn and Karsynn are her greatest pride and the center of her heart.

In a world that can sometimes be quick to criticize others, teachers who consistently encourage and uplift their students are changing lives in ways they may never fully realize. Their kindness plants seeds of confidence that continue to grow for years to come. Amanda, we are so fortunate to have your passion and encouragement in our classrooms and our community. Thank you for believing in your students, encouraging them when they doubt themselves, and reminding them that they can achieve great things. Your patience, kindness, and unwavering support have left a lasting impression on every life you’ve touched. Your words of encouragement and cheering them on from the sidelines, have become lifelong reminders to your students, that someone believed in them. Thank you for investing your heart in every student. Like those great teachers that have come before you, your impact will be remembered for years to come.