Jefferson’s Manchester announces 2026 Teacher of the Year!

Jefferson’s of Manchester is pleased to announce that LeChelle Ferrell has been named Jefferson’s 2026 Manchester Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Ferrell teaches P.E. at North Coffee Elementary School, and has been teaching for 25 years. Mrs. Ferrell was born and raised in Coffee County, and attended North Coffee Elementary herself as a child. She stated that she hopes she can have a lasting impact on her students, as her teachers had on her. 

Mrs. Ferrell was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by students and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Teachers’ Day on May 5, aims to recognize one of Manchester’s many deserving educators. Jefferson’s selected Mrs. Ferrell as the Manchester Teacher of the Year for her passion, and her efforts to ensure that opportunities are equitable for all students.

“For Mrs. Ferrell, going the extra mile is the standard,” said Sean McCooey, President of Double Dip Franchise Group. “Mrs. Ferrell has obtained multiple grants to secure new equipment for the kids, and, seeing a need, collected tennis shoes so any child who needs proper footwear can have access—a shoe rack of all sizes now exists in the gym. Mrs. Ferrell embodies everything our communities value in their teachers and leaders, and we’re honored to recognize her for her dedication to the Manchester community.”

Ferrell will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and her achievement will be commemorated on the “Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year” plaque at the Manchester  restaurant.

“Teaching is not a job, it’s a lifestyle,” said Mrs. Ferrell in a statement. “I have learned that it is so important to show up every day and be someone these kids can count on. Kids need us to be the calm in the storm and the smile when they walk in the door. They need us to be firm yet fair. They need us to be consistent and have high expectations. Most of all they need to feel our love.” 

Last year was the launch of the Teacher of the Year program, with Cindy Fletcher, also a teacher at North Coffee Elementary School, selected as Manchester’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. 

This year is the sophomore run for the Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year award, launched as a companion program to Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award, which runs in the fall. The teachers’ initiative is open to teachers working with students of any age, and candidates could be nominated by students, parents and guardians of students, school officials, or other community members.