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…
Andrew Harrison
Articles
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.
What’s Right With Our Schools: CCA Student Earns National Art Award
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Christian School’s Missions Club
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Silverdale Baptist Academy Outdoor Classroom
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.…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Summer Reach Program at Dalewood Middle
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Barger Aquatic and Outdoor Classroom
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.
What’s Right With Our Schools: Bessie Smith Center Reopens
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.…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Ringgold’s Tiger Guard Drill Team
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Prep Juneteenth Observance
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,…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Hillcrest Elementary Summer REACH Program
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Tarah Kemp, DuPont Elementary
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Nancy Baxley, Signal Mountain High School
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Brandi Adam, Red Bank Elementary
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,…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Cleveland’s BLADE Project
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…
Golden Apple: Lorie Bowen, Boyd Buchanan
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…
What’s Right With Our Schools: Boyd Buchanan NeuroNet
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…