My name is Candace (Akin) Gifford. I have lived in Bledsoe County all my life, and I graduated from Bledsoe County High School in 2001. Following my graduation, I attended college at Roane State Community College and Tennessee Technological University.

I am honored to be teaching in the county where I grew up. I have been teaching for 13 years; 12 of those have been here at Wheeler Elementary. For the 2015-2016 school year, I was selected as Teacher of the Year at Wheeler. Reading has always been a passion of mine. I would spend summers with my grandparents, and my grandfather pointed out that I always had a book in my hand. I am very passionate and excited about teaching reading. I also enjoy teaching social studies; American history has always captured my attention. My grandmother taught for 37 years in both Cumberland and Bledsoe, and I am glad to be following in her footsteps.

I have been married twelve years and live with my husband, Cody, in Cold Springs. We have one child, a son named Carter. He is a very energetic seven-year-old! I love to read and be outside. I have also enjoyed getting to travel to places like Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Austria, Italy, Germany, and Hawaii.

Education:

A.S.- General Studies       Roane State Community College  2004

B.A.- English Literature     Tennessee Technological University  2006

M.A.- Curriculum & Instruction K-6     Tennessee Technological University 2009