Teacher Spotlight: Stephanie Loggans
Chattanooga, TN–
Stephanie Loggans, a welding teacher at Harrison Bay Future Ready Center, exemplifies how passion and unexpected opportunities can lead to a fulfilling career in education. With a degree in sculpture and a background in metal fabrication, Loggans’ journey to teaching was anything but conventional.
“I began learning metal fabrication techniques to make art,” Loggans shared. Her artistic pursuits led to several years of professional metal fabrication, but her career turned unexpectedly when the company she worked for closed. “I took on independent fabrication work and substitute teaching jobs. The first was at Harrison Bay Future Ready Center,” she explained. What started as a temporary position soon became a calling. “I loved working there and kept going back whenever they needed someone. I was inspired by the projects the students were doing, the incredible and useful subjects, the school culture, and the fantastic team of people working there. I never planned to become an educator, but slowly went through this process of realizing that’s what I am.”
Loggans’ passion for welding is seen in her teaching approach. “I focus on structure and pointing out its value. I focus on creating opportunities for them to bolster other skills, like literacy, math, and essential skills, by doing what they love,” she said. Her goal is to prepare students for the future by instilling confidence in their ability to learn and adapt.
“By the time they leave here, I want my students to understand that being ready for the future means always being ready to learn and to have confidence in their ability to do that.”
Her dedication recently earned her the New Channel 9 Tennessee Lottery Teacher of the Week award. “On a personal level, it feels like seeing my effort and joy as a teacher mirrored back to me. I feel touched that someone nominated me. On a professional level, I’m thrilled to be selected!”
One of the most rewarding aspects of her work comes from seeing her students take initiative and apply their skills beyond the classroom. “The impactful moments come when students tell me about the projects they’re doing outside of school, the jobs they’re working to save up for a tool or piece of equipment,” Loggans said.
As a second-year teacher, Loggans credits her colleagues and the collaborative culture at Harrison Bay Future Ready Center for her growth and success. “I’m lucky to work with my colleagues at Harrison Bay Future Ready because they are so generous in sharing what works well for them and what to avoid. Her advice for fellow educators is, “Strive to find those people and create that environment in the school first.”
Stephanie Loggans’ journey from sculptor to welding teacher is a testament to the transformative power of passion, adaptability, and community. She equips her students with technical skills and inspires them to dream bigger and approach life confidently and curiously.
