Bristol Tennessee City Schools is proud to recognize Brad Stubbs, a special education teacher at Tennessee High School, as the district’s 2026 Teacher of the Year for grades 9–12.
For Stubbs, teaching is more than a career. It’s a calling rooted in family, experience, and a deep passion for serving students. “Teaching is in my blood,” he shared. Both of his parents were educators, as is his older sister, and those early influences helped shape his path. Still, it was a pivotal hands-on experience during college that ultimately led him to his true passion.
While studying as a math major, Stubbs spent time substitute teaching at Tennessee High School and was asked to step into a classroom supporting students with significant needs. What began as a challenging assignment quickly became a life-changing moment. “Over the course of a few weeks, I absolutely fell in love with it,” he said. “It influenced me so much that I went back and changed my major to special education.”
Since then, Stubbs has dedicated his career to supporting students with diverse learning needs. After beginning his teaching career at Volunteer High School, he joined Bristol Tennessee City Schools in 2006. His early work in an alternative setting, focused on behavior and relationship building, proved especially formative. “That experience gave me so much valuable insight into connecting with students from all backgrounds,” he said.
Stubbs later returned to Tennessee High School's main campus, where he has remained a steady and impactful presence. Over the years, he has served in multiple roles, including teaching in the Comprehensive Development Classroom (CDC) and resource math, always prioritizing strong relationships and individualized support for students.
In addition to his work in the classroom, Stubbs has made a lasting impact through coaching. He spent 17 years coaching football and now serves as head track and field coach, a role he has held since 2020. His coaching philosophy is rooted in hard work and high expectations, values shaped by his own experience working alongside his father, a longtime coach. “Work ethic is something I value deeply,” Stubbs said.
Despite a demanding schedule, Stubbs remains grounded in what matters most, his students and his family. He and his wife are raising five children, and he credits both his personal and professional experiences with shaping his perspective as an educator.
Stubbs says the most rewarding part of his career is simple: “I truly love my job. I love being able to do this work, and I feel very blessed.”
His dedication, compassion, and commitment to students make him a deserving recipient of this honor. Bristol Tennessee City Schools congratulates Brad Stubbs on being named the 2026 Teacher of the Year for grades 9–12.