The best educators consistently put in extra time to make sure their students have all the tools they need to succeed. That describes Cortney Fugate to a "T". The Loftis Middle School teacher is a Golden Apple Award winner.
In this segment of What's Right With Our Schools, take a look at the new Silverdale Center that has been 5 years in the making at Silverdale Baptist Academy.
Imagine spending a half a century in the classroom. That the's reality for LeNet Solomon-Parker. She's spent 50 years creating a loving and caring atmosphere for her students.
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - It's been said that the custodian is the eyes and ears of an institution. At East Ridge Middle School, their custodian is so much…
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) - Children are natural explorers. Pairing classroom lessons with what they can see and touch in the outside world is a key to…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -Teachers are always in high demand. Some people with college degrees in other areas might be feeling the call to the classroom. Now, they can get all the course work and licensing they need…
HARRISON, TN (WDEF) - The Harrison Bay Future Ready center is building the architects, engineers and welders of tomorrow. The rest of America is taking notice. Keith Bright teaches Architecture Desing at Harrison Bay Future Ready. He…
CHATTANOOGA. TN (WDEF) - Chatt Prep revived a powerful back to school tradition earlier this month. At the Chattanooga 300, men from throughout the community greeted the students as they walked into their new collegiate gymnasium. Montrell…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Montessori Elementary at Highland Park officially opened last week. It's Chattanooga's first public, charter school dedicated to the Montessori educational program. Dr. Elaine Swafford is the Director for CGLA and Montessori Elementary at…
Physical therapy isn't just for people. It could get your best friend firing on four legs again. The Animal Hospital of Signal Mountain is one of just a handful of local places where your animal can get the rehab it needs.
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A very talented illustrator has honed her skills at the Center for Creative Arts in Chattanooga for the past few years. Now, the nation is taking notice. Chad Burnette teaches Visual Art at…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Chattanooga Christian School is on a Mission. Melania Ray teaches Life Science at CCS. She says, "The program is called Missions Club, and our main purpose is to encourage and build up the…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Whether you're growing a garden or a expanding a young mind, sunlight is an essential ingredient. Silverdale Baptist Academy tries to get students outside as much as possible and not just for recess.…
CHATANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Countless classroom hours were lost during the pandemic. Hamilton County's Summer Reach program is designed to get kids back up to speed and even give them a head start for next year. Tasha…
Students at Barger Academy of Fine Arts have a great new resource to see Science in Action. Take a look at their Aquatic and Outdoor Classroom in What's Right With Our Schools.
CHATTANOOGA TN (WDEF) - Summer is in full swing, but that doesn't mean learning has to take a vacation. The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is a great place to see and hear some of Chattanooga's rich history.…
RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) -The Tiger Guard Drill team continues to fill the trophy case at Ringgold High. The team overcame unprecedented challenges this year and made some History along the way. Sgt. 1st Class Larry Sisemore…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Ricardo Morris is the CEO of the Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts and Ideas. He explains, "We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Wall Street, black Wall Street massacre in Tulsa Oklahoma,…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A school year like none other will soon become a Summer like none other for many students in Hamilton County. To make up for lost learning, the Summer Reach program will double in…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Each year, the Tennessee Council for Social Studies recognizes a handful of exceptional teachers throughout the state. Tarah Kemp uses her culinary skills to bring her lessons to life at Dupont Elementary, feeding her…
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, TN (WDEF) - Each year, the Tennessee Council for Social Studies recognizes exceptional teachers throughout the state. Nancy Baxley is a proud product of the Hamilton County School system. These days, she's a world class, World…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A Red Bank Elementary School Instructional Coach earns National Recognition as a 2021 Extraordinary Educator. Brandi Adam is one of just two teachers in the entire state to receive the honor. Brandi says,…
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Cleveland City Schools complete a momentous, multi-year project. Every student in the Cleveland City School system now has a laptop. BLADE is an acronym for Blended Learning and Digital Enhancement, and it's a…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Students and parents agree that Lori Bowen goes above and beyond to make sure the children in her class are successful learners. The Boyd Buchanan teacher was known to drop off supplies to…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Movement can help get your mind ready to learn. Teachers at Boyd Buchanan are exploring the connections between our brains and bodies. Julie Mathis provides academic support. She says, "The name of this program is is…
SODDY-DAISY, TN (WDEF) - English Language Arts is a vital part of a well-rounded education. Samantha Smith is great at making the page come to life for her students at Loftis Middle School. She's firm, but fun…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A fresh group of freshmen at Howard High School have started a career path that will take them into the medical field. Over the next few years, the students will develop skill sets that are in…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Andrew Jones knows that communication is key for exceptional education students. He just started at East Side Elementary last August, but kids in his class are already making great strides toward independent learning.…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - The pandemic forced teachers to adapt. Virtual learning is typically not ideal. Claire Millsaps took on that challenge in style, and her second graders at Big Ridge recently scored very well on their…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Water makes up more than half of our bodies. Depending on their age, children should drink anywhere from 4 to 11 cups a day. That's hard to do when school water fountains are shut down due…
Tommy Wells is an institution at Richard Hardy Memorial School in South Pittsburg. Through his decades of teaching, he has displayed genuine kindness to all his students and players earning him this week's Golden Apple Award.
The driving simulators at schools these days are demonstrating lessons on more than impaired driving. Now they focus on distracted driving at Richard Hardy Elementary.
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -When teachers truly connect with their students, they can spend less time on discipline and more time on learning. Kathy Gordon makes it a priority to find each child's learning style. The Barger Academy…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Positive behavior and academic success go together like reading, writing and arithmetic. At Howard, "The Tiger Way Initiative," balances teacher and student accountability by celebrating victories big and small. The state of Tennessee is taking notice.…
SODDY-DAISY, TN (WDEF) - Keeping first graders on track is hard enough in ideal conditions. When you add a virtual element, the degree of difficulty can be staggering. Sarah Leeseberg met that challenge and more. Meaghan Moss…
How quickly do kids forget how to play? One local school program is trying to keep young string instrument players in the game a bit longer. It's part of What's Right With Our Schools this week.
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Music has to power transform us. It's a subject that Sarah Tortora is passionate about. She shares that passion with more than 400 students at Hardy Elementary. Robin Bambrey is the Principal at…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Hardy Elementary School had to get extra creative for this year's Black History Month Celebration, but they still managed to get Hardy at home students through a series of interactive projects. Rose Prince teaches 4th grade…
WHITWELL, TN (WDEF) - Musicals have become an annual tradition at Whitwell Middle School. For the last 25 years Roger Payne has been the man behind the music. It's a great way for kids to showcase their…
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Chattanooga Prep will put on its Speak Like a King Event this week (2/22-2/26 2021). It has to be virtual this year, because of the pandemic, but on the bright side, the whole world can see…