Golden Apple Award: Ryan Barton, East Lake Elementary
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Ryan Barton is a former Adventure Therapist. He traveled to some of the most remote spots on the globe before answering the call to become a teacher. His students at…
Andrew Harrison
Articles
What’s Right With Our Schools: REACH Program at Lakeview Middle School
ROSSVILLE, GA (WDEF) - A College Education is getting more expensive every year. In Georgia, the REACH program combines local sponsors with state funds to give 8th graders a head start…
What’s Right With Our Schools: East Lake Expression Engine
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Music is an important part of what makes us human. Almost all of us have a song or two inside. Students in the East Lake Community have a great…
Golden Apple Award: Amy Bufkin, Silverdale Baptist Academy
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Amy Bufkin teaches Economics and History at Silverdale Baptist Academy, but dollars and cents and past events are only a small part of her commitment to her students.…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Dalewood Middle and Bridge Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Bridge Chattanooga works to help students develop the skills they need to lead happy, healthy and productive lives. One of the ways they do that is through an afternoon…
Golden Apple: Leah Broersma, Rivermont Elementary
CHATTANOOGA. TN (WDEF) - Parents of students in Leah Broersma's special needs pre-k program at Rivermont a grateful to have such a good teacher. They describe her as passionate and attentive. Jill Evans is…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Howard High School Family Night
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - As the pandemic drags on, educators still have to adapt to make sure everyone is on the same page. Family night returned in person to Howard High School this year,…
Golden Apple Award: Jennifer Turner, Westview Elementary
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Jennifer Turner has a passion and a joy that shines in all she does. That enthusiasm makes learning fun for students in her Westview Science Lab. Debbie Caudle is…
What’s Right With Our Schools: OLPH Helps the Chattanooga Community Kitchen
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - At Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Chattanooga, children learn 3 core values. They are to know, love and serve. Even the youngest students put those values in…
Southern Heritage Bank Robbed in Cleveland
A black male walked into Southern Heritage Bank, in Cleveland, brandished a weapon, and demanded U.S. currency from the bank teller.
Update: Missing Woman Found Safe in Dalton
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - This is the latest release from Dalton Police: Nancy Cox, the woman in the release we sent about an hour ago, has returned to the hospital. She came back on her own, apparently, and is safe…
Leslie Jordan Visits Champy’s
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Another day, another celebrity sighting at Champy's. Tuesday (11/23/21) the Lee Highway location got the star treatment when Leslie Jordan stopped by. The Chattanooga native was all smiles as he posed for a picture with the…
Golden Apple Award: Candace Ryan, Signal Mountain Middle High School
Good teachers keep the lines of communication open with parents, just in case a student needs a little extra attention.
Morgan Freeman Visits Champy’s in East Ridge
He's spent time in Shawshank, been a member of the Electric Company and ridden with Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven. One of the world's most recognizable faces was spotted in East Ridge Monday.
What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Prep Thanksgiving Meals
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Chattanooga Prep is doing its part to make sure all its school families have a bountiful Thanksgiving. They've already handed out enough food to feed a…
Golden Apple Award: Whitney Whitaker, Brown Middle School
HARRISON, TN (WDEF) - Sometimes a funny song can be just the thing put a child's mind at ease and get them ready to learn. Boundless creativity is just one of the qualities…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Red Bank Roar Night
RED BANK, TN (WDEF) - After going virtual last year, Red Bank High School recently welcomed the community back for Roar Night! It gives folks a chance to see…
Golden Apple Award: Jennifer Murray, DuPont Elementary
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A child's first teacher plays a vital role in establishing a lifelong love of learning. It's a job that requires plenty of patience, and if you don't love…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Catoosa Academy Groundbreaking
RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) - Catoosa Academy will soon have a brick and mortar facility to help young people lay a solid foundation for their future. Ground was recently broken on the building that should…
Golden Apple Award: Molly Epperson, East Hamilton High School
Ooltewah, TN (WDEF) - Molly Epperson has made a career out of inspiring young musicians to follow their passion.She's taught High School Marching Band and several other musical subjects for more than a…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Woodmore Elementary Level 5 Status
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - In Tennessee, schools can reach Level 5 status if there is significant evidence that their students have exceeded the state growth standard. It's a barometer…
Golden Apple Award: Dr. Martha Plumlee, Dade Elementary
TRENTON, GA (WDEF) - You could give Dr. Martha Plumlee an A+ for selflessness. The Dade Elementary Teacher has been known to Zoom homebound students after her regular school day wraps up. She'll…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Dade Elementary 3-D Printer
TRENTON, GA (WDEF) - From manufacturing to medical, 3-D printing is the wave of the future. The sooner kids can experiment, the more things they can make. Dade Elementary School is…
Golden Apple Award: Jennifer French, Alpine Crest Elementary
RED BANK, TN (WDEF) - Jennifer French is passionate about getting her young students at Alpine Crest Elementary off on the right foot in Math and Science, but she also has an…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Reach One Teach One
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - It's never too late to make a positive change in your community. After serving more than 7 years behind bars, Reginald Yearby has dedicated his life to…
Golden Apple Award: Amy Millican, LaFayette Middle School
LAFAYETTE, GA (WDEF) -Good teachers balance warmth and compassion with the firmness it takes to get things done. The describes Lafayette Middle School's Amy Millican to a "T". Jamie Debity is…
Golden Apple Award: Kirk Johnson, Sequoyah High School
Kirk Johnson first tasted academic excellence back in 1989 when he was named East Ridge High School's outstanding welder. After a successful career as a machinist, Kirk decided to head back to the classroom, this time, as a teacher. He's a Golden Apple Award winner.
What’s Right With Our Schools: Sequoyah High School TCAT Program
Students at Sequoyah High School are getting a head start on their college and career, that should save them time and money in the long run.
Golden Apple: Ashley Shankles-Johnson, Jasper Middle School
How far did a Jasper Middle Social Studies teacher go to earn her Golden Apple Award? Her path has lead her to yard sales all over our area.
What’s Right With Our Schools: OLPH Smart Lab
You hear about STEM programs all the time these days. They help students develop a logical thought process, and they are also a gateway to the high paying jobs of tomorrow. Students at OLPH are getting a leg up in their Learning Lab Smart Library.
Golden Apple: Cortney Fugate, Loftis Middle School
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.
What’s Right With Our Schools: Silverdale Center
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.
Golden Apple Award: LeNet Solomon-Parker, Montessori School
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.
What’s Right With Our Schools: East Ridge Middle’s Herbert Elder
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: OLPH Nature Explorer Outdoor Classroom
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Project Inspire
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Harrison Bay Future Ready Program
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Chatt Prep 300
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Montessori Elementary at Highland Park
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…
Pet Rehab at Animal Hospital of Signal Mountain
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.