Retchless was presented the award by retired Cheatham County educator and Cheatham County Reading Council president Mallory Lemley.
Lemley said Retchless was very deserving of the award.
“I have known and worked with Tamara for several years. She has always gone above and beyond to instill a love of reading in her students. Even though she is a very busy full-time teacher, she takes the time to work with me through the Cheatham County Reading Council to help teachers encourage a love of reading in their students by planning and presenting professional development workshops that offer a variety of strategies and methods for teaching reading skills," she said.
Lemley said if there is a grant available or a reading project that needs assistance, Retchless is always supportive.
“Tamara is probably the most dedicated reading teacher that I've ever seen. That's why I nominated her for the TRA Reading Teacher of the Year award. I'm very glad that she won because she truly deserves the recognition that goes along with the award,” she said.