Golden Apple Award: Dinna Spradlin, Dalton Academy
DALTON, GA (WDEF) - Who says Math class has to be dry as toast? What if you could write the equations right on your desk? How about a comfy couch for when you…
Andrew Harrison
Articles
What’s Right With Our Schools: Brown Middle School Wow Notebook
HARRISON, TN (WDEF) - The early teenage years are a challenging time in most of our lives. A well-timed compliment can put pep in your step and change your entire outlook. That's…
Golden Apple: Lori Giles, North City Elementary
ATHENS, TN (WDEF) - Love, passion and patience are important qualities for a teacher. Lori Giles has all three combined with a tireless work ethic. That makes her a perfect fit at North City…
What’s Right With Our Schools: East Lake Elementary Soaring to Success
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Setting a goal is the first step to success, but staying motivated along the way is just as important. Students and teachers at East Lake Elementary receive recognition…
Golden Apple Award: Joshua Edens, Orchard Knob Middle School
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - From The Ohio State University to Orchard Knob Middle School, Joshua Edens is an exceptional educator, and he's not a bad coach, either. Students, players and parents all agree…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Hixson AFJROTC Flag Disposal
HIXSON, TN (WDEF) - When an American flag becomes tattered beyond repair, there is a proper way to dispose of it. Cadets in Hixson High's Air Force Junior ROTC program know exactly…
Golden Apple Award: Lu Ann Carey, Bradley Central
CLEVELAND, TN (WDEF) - Homegrown teachers often have a unique understanding of the communities they serve. That certainly describes Bradley Central's Lu Ann Carey. When she's not in the classroom, you'll find her…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Howard Leadership Exchange Program
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Knowing each other is the cornerstone of a strong community. That's the idea behind the Leadership Exchange Program at Howard High. Students from several area schools are…
Golden Apple Award: Sam Sherrill, Boyd Buchanan
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - A strong understanding in Science can set the foundation for a lifetime of logical thinking. Sam Sherrill makes sure his 7th graders at Boyd Buchanan understand the world around…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Hixson Middle AFJROTC
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. Those are the core values of the United States Air Force. Now, Students at…
Golden Apple Award: Lauren Grimes, Dalewood Middle School
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - Sixth grade Math the can be challenging. The problems get more complex.You need a good teacher to properly explain the process. Dalewood Middle School's Lauren Grimes blends high energy…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Christian Surf Club
CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF) - As far as states go, Tennessee is just about as landlocked as they come, but our geographic disadvantage was only a minor obstacle for a highly motivated Chattanooga…
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…
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.