Golden Apple: Taryn Painter, Apison Elementary
APISON, TN (WDEF) - Each school day Taryn Painter walks into her third-grade classroom at Apison Elementary with energy, patience and a genuine love of teaching. Her students know she…
Andrew Harrison
Articles
What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga IT Pathways Hackathon
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -Some of the sharpest local minds recently came together for the Chattanooga I-T Pathways Hackathon. It was a chance to shape the future of…
Golden Apple Award: Myra Cook, Oakwood Christian Academy
CHICKAMAUGA, GA (WDEF) - Myra Cook is an institution at Oakwood Christian Academy. She's been there for more than 25 years. As a music teacher, she inspired countless…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Tennessee Aquarium STREAM Center
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - The STREAM learning Center opened at the Tennessee Aquarium late last year. The Aquarium's classrooms, educator offices and programming are all housed in…
American Airbus to Fly Between Chattanooga and Dallas
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - More people will be able to fly from Chattanooga to Dallas starting this May. American Airlines is upgrading to an Airbus320 for two of its four daily flights. It's a bigger plane with nearly twice as…
Golden Apple Award, Lydia Thornton, CCS
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A healthy knowledge of geometry helps students see the world in a whole new way. At CCS, Lydia Thornton uses physical demonstrations and activities to make…
East Ridge Police Make 2 Arrests in Deadly Waffle House Shooting
EAST RIDGE, TN (WDEF) - East Ridge Police made two arrests in a deadly shooting at the Ringgold Road Waffle House. 37 year-old…
What’s Right With Our Schools Southern Adventist MLK Service Day
COLLEGEDALE, TN (WDEF) -MLK Service Day is a time-honored tradition for Southern Adventist University. Each year students, faculty, staff, and alumni join together to serve local…
Golden Apple Award: Ramona DeLay, Ringgold Middle School
RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) - Ramona Delay cares about all her Ringgold Middle School students past and present. Her dedication extends far beyond school hours. Her tireless dedication earned…
What’s Right With Our Schools: 11th Hour Theater
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - A new, non-profit performing arts organization is up and running in Dalton. 11th Hour Theater and Creative Studio is a great place for kids…
What’s Right With Our School: Signal Centers STEM Program
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A solid background in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math is becoming more essential every day. Signal Centers are helping some of their youngest…
Car Collides with House in Red Bank
RED BANK, TN (WDEF) - A runaway car created a dangerous situation in Red Bank this morning. This was the scene on Lancaster Avenue. A car rolled down the street and hit a house. One person was trapped. First, crews…
What’s Right With Our Schools, Hixson 7th Grade Band
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - It's a time-honored holiday tradition in Hamilton County. Hixson Middle School's 7th grade Band did a great job performing at Christmas…
Golden Apple Award: Jennifer Brewer, Boyd Buchanan
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A-P Calculus is one of the most challenging classes on any high school curriculum. Jennifer Brewer has a gift for making her students at Boyd…
What’s Right With Our Schools, Silverdale Academy Fills Stockings for the Salvation Army
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - It's the season of giving, and that's a lesson students at Silverdale Academy learn at a young age. First…
Golden Apple Award: Kaitlyn Foulks, Charleston Elementary School
CHARLESTON, TN (WDEF) - Kaitlyn Foulks is living her dream as a Charleston Elementary School teacher. She may be new to the job, but her enthusiasm and dedication more…
What’s Right With Our Schools: White Oak Bicycle Co-op
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Few things bring more joy to a child than a bicycle. For 5 years, White Oak Bicycle has been giving free bicycles to school age…
Toys for Tots drive-through Toy Drive
CHATTANOONGA, TN (WDEF) - The Tennessee Valley's generosity was on full display this (12/3/25) afternoon! News 12 and Scenic Community Credit Union teamed up for our first Toys for Tots…
Golden Apple Award: Eric Barth, Hunter Middle School
OOLTEWAH, TN (WDEF) - Eric Barth has a gift for inspiring students both in the classroom and on the football field. The Ohio native has spent the last decade…
What’s Right With Our Schools: College Quest at UTC
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -The transition from high school to college is a big adjustment for most students. Knowing exactly what to expect certainly helps. That's the idea…
26th Annual Grateful Gobbler Set for Thanksgiving Morning
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A beloved Thanksgiving tradition returns tomorrow (11/28/25) morning at Coolidge Park. The 26th annual Grateful Gobbler gets rolling at 8 a.m. It's a 5k. You…
Food City Celebrity Baggers Raise Money for the United Way
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Shoppers at the Food City on Ocoee Crossing in Cleveland might have noticed a few familiar faces in the checkout line today…
Golden Apple Award: Kathlina Alford, Hixson High School
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Kathlina Alford spends every school day making sure that students at Hixson High School get all the support they need to succeed. From her…
Solid Orange Drive Thru, Highway 58 Food City
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Hundreds of happy Tennessee fans lined up at the Food City on Highway 58 this afternoon for our final Solid Orange Drive through of…
Golden Apple Award: OLPH, Diana Lee
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Learning a new language is easier the earlier you start. Senora Diana Lee makes the Spanish language come to life for students in Pre-K through 5th…
What’s Right With Our Schools: ACG Go Build Construction Career Expo
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - As our area grows, construction workers remain in high demand. Associated General Contractors of East Tennessee are working to meet that…
Catoosa County Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 years in Prison
CATOOSA COUNTY, GA (WDEF) - A convicted sex offender in Catoosa County has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. A jury found John Christian Collier guilty of 16 counts of sexually related crimes against children. Those charges include Child…
3 New Stars on Music City Walk of Fame
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — Three new stars have been added to the Music City Walk of Fame. GRAMMY-winning songwriter Liz Rose, country legend Charley Pride, and reigning CMA and ACM Group of the Year Old Dominion were inducted…
Golden Apple Award: Holley Corder, Saint Jude School
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Holley Corder has a gift for creating a love of learning in her 4th grade students at Saint Jude. She tailors her lesson plans to…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Woodworking Academy Awards
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -Mayor Tim Kelly believes the creative economy is a crucial component of Chattanooga's bottom line. The current class at Chattanooga Working Academy is the…
Golden Apple Award: Darren Hulgan, Chattanooga Valley Middle School
FLINTSTONE, GA (WDEF) - Darren Hulgan is on a mission to make the world a little bit better every day. He came to teaching later in life…
Catoosa County Home School Co-Op Visits News 12
CATOOSA COUNTY, GA (WDEF) - News 12 welcomed some very smart and capable visitors this (11/4/25) morning. Students from the Catoosa County Home School Co-Op came by just ahead the Noon show. We showed them around our newsroom and both…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Woodworking Academy
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - With A-I disrupting a wide range of businesses, the trades are becoming more attractive to young people. The Chattanooga Woodworking Academy lets students progress…
Golden Apple: David Tindell, Ryan Otting, Barnhardt Academy
FORT OGLETHORPE, GA (WDEF) - David Tindell and Ryan Otting serve as co-teachers at Barnhardt Academy. Their coaching background helps them motivate students. They encourage perseverance, teamwork, and…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Walker Valley STEM DAY
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Walker Valley students recently got to look into their possible futures at STEM Career Day. Employers from throughout our region were on…
Golden Apple Award: Ashley Morgan, Graysville Elementary School
RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) -Ashley Morgan really lights up a classroom at Graysville Elementary. She knows when to laugh and when it's time to get down to business. Mrs. Morgan…
The Dream is Not Closing
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Last week (10/16/ 25) News 12 ran a story that the Dream restaurant was closing its doors. We based that report on a Facebook post from a person who had…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Governor’s Literacy Program at Orchard Knob
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A love of reading can take a child far in the classroom and in life. Children at Orchard Knob Elementary recently got…
Solid Orange Drive Thru in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) -It's Tennessee Alabama week! With both teams ranked in the top 11, the stakes could not be *any* higher for Saturday night's showdown in Tuscaloosa. More…
What’s Right With Our Schools: CGLA Activity Building
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) -Great things are happening at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy. They recently cut the ribbon on their new Student Activity Center. Let's take a look inside…