As we approach the final stretch of this school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work you’ve done and encourage each of you to finish the year strong.

Every day, you make a difference in the lives of our students, and as we near the end of the year, it’s important to remember the impact we continue to have. Whether you're teaching in the classroom, supporting from behind the scenes, or ensuring our students have the resources they need, your hard work does not go unnoticed.

I know the last few months can be challenging, but this is also the time when our efforts truly shine. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students, each other, and the community. Let’s finish the year with a continued focus on what matters most—our students’ success.

Kindergarten students from Dandridge Elementary School toured several of the JCHS CTE Programs last week. The field trip was selected to tie into the groups' unit on Interdependence. Over sixty students participated in each of the eight stops on the tour which included hands-on activities at every station. These elementary students were able to get a feel for each of the different programs of study and see what they do in the community. JCHS Service Learning students served as tour guides for our little friends.

Some of the activities are included below:

• Culinary decorated cupcakes with the children.
• Welding talked about safety when welding and were able to try on the safety gear.
• Automotive were able to help tighten lug nuts with an air wrench and see the car raised up and down on the lift.
• Vet Science & Ag allowed students to interact with some of the dogs in their grooming lab and tour the greenhouse.
• JROTC challenged students to push ups, pull ups, and practiced saluting an officer.
• Criminal Justice let students handle several pieces of equipment, hop in the police car, and give hugs to Chase from Paw Patrol.
• Health Science assisted children with taking care of patients by taking temperatures, measuring heights, and using a stethoscope.
• Cosmetology helped students paint names, comb hair, and shave some mannequins' heads.

The JCHS CTE department welcomes requests for elementary tours of the program to support student learning about careers. Principals may reach out to Missy Hayes for more information.

As a first-grader, Melanie Simpson knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life. While other kids dreamed of becoming astronauts or movie stars, Melanie went to school all day and then came home to—well—play school. Teaching wasn’t just a career path she considered; it was the only one she ever wanted.

“I truly felt a calling to the profession,” she says, reflecting on the early years that shaped her journey. Now, 20 years into her career with Jefferson County Schools, Melanie’s has moved from the role of classroom teacher to Jefferson Middle School Principal. But how did she get to where she is today? According to her, it all started with a leap of faith. “I had applied for positions and gone through interviews, never really expecting to get the job,” she recalls. “I saw it as a learning experience, a chance to grow. I wasn’t ready to leave the classroom, but when I got the call, I took a deep breath, stepped through the door of opportunity, and realized that God always has a bigger plan than our own.”

That plan led her to where she is today, and each morning when she starts her day, she finds her greatest motivation in the students she serves and the impact she can make. It’s this same passion that helped Jefferson Middle School achieve 'A' School Status, one of her proudest professional accomplishments.

If she had to describe her leadership style in a single song? "We're All in This Together" from High School Musical. It’s more than just a catchy tune—it embodies her belief in teamwork, collaboration, and lifting each other up.

Of course, working in education comes with its fair share of unforgettable moments, and Melanie has a story that rivals any Hollywood script.

At the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, a storm led to an early dismissal. As she was making sure everything was running smoothly, she received a walkie-talkie call: “Come to the basement.”

Approaching the steps, she quickly realized the situation was dire. Water was rushing in at an alarming speed, flooding the basement, reaching halfway up the doors, and even lifting floor tiles off the ground. It was absolute chaos. And then—because there’s always someone with a sense of humor—a voice in the background started playing "Nearer My God to Thee" (yes, the same song from Titanic). The moment of pure absurdity had everyone laughing, despite the rapidly rising water levels.

When she’s not leading Jefferson Middle, Melanie cherishes time spent reading, traveling, and being with her family—especially as her daughters grow older and those moments become even more precious.

Chelsey Key is currently in her twelfth year of teaching, all of those years at New Market Elementary School. When asked about what inspired her to be a teacher, she recalls that teaching has always been a part of who she is. "I started playing teacher when I was four and never really stopped. I feel very lucky to serve in a profession I love," Key reflected.

Key attended Carson Newman University for both her bachelor's and master's degrees. She also received her Reading Specialist endorsement there. Her favorite part of her job is building a community of learners. She enjoys standing alongside students as they learn, grow, and solve both academic and social problems. She loves watching students progress and achieve in her classroom.

Teaching isn’t just about giving lessons—it’s also about learning from her students. Chelsey recalls a memorable moment that stands out in her teaching journey: “It was a warm May afternoon, and we had just come in from recess. One of my students stopped to tell me how nice recess was. Then he said, ‘It was so hot, and I prayed to my Heavenly Father for a breeze, and he gave it to us!’”

This simple, yet profound moment was a reminder to Chelsey that teaching is a two-way street. “Through that 5th grader, I was reminded that God hears our prayers and shows up for us,” she reflects. “It’s always been a reminder to me that I have just as much to learn from my students as they do from me.”

At New Market Elementary, Chelsey is more than a teacher—she is a role model, a guide, and a lifelong learner who touches the hearts and minds of her students every day.

At Jefferson County Schools, we are fortunate to have dedicated staff members who go above and beyond in their roles to ensure the success and well-being of our students. One such individual is Stephanie Clabough, the cafeteria manager at Patriot Academy. Clabough’s dedication, hard work, and exceptional leadership have made a lasting impact on her school community.

Clabough began as a part-time cafeteria worker in 2015. She demonstrated a strong work ethic and management skills. In 2019, Clabough was promoted to cafeteria manager at Patriot Academy. Assistant Principal Dr. John Cagle stated, "Mrs. Clabough is an incredible asset to Jefferson County High School, especially the JCHS Patriot Academy campus! She combines a very professional attitude, an outstanding work ethic, and caring heart for serving others in all that she does. No matter what the issue, she is always positive and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. She is a true blessing!"

Under Clabough's leadership, the cafeteria has flourished. Her hard work and attention to detail have paid off, as her cafeteria has consistently earned perfect health inspection scores of 100. This is a testament to the care Clabough puts into having a clean cafeteria. Jamie Johnson, Student Nutrition Coordinator, shared, "We are incredibly proud of Stephanie Clabough and everything she has accomplished at Patriot Academy. Her hard work, dedication, and leadership have made a positive difference in the lives of countless students."

Jefferson County Schools is truly fortunate to have such a dedicated professional on our team. Clabough shared, "On behalf of the Patriot Academy Student Nutrition Department, it is our pleasure to serve our students and staff. When you work with an amazing group of people , it really makes coming to work gratifying. My ladies make my job easy. I wouldn't be as good at my job if it weren't for them."

With Tennessee ALL Corps Tutoring money ending in June 2024, Jefferson County Schools is grateful to Dr. Arnold and the school board for ensuring that funds were budgeted to keep a tutoring program going. While the program had to be downsized, we currently have 22 part-time tutors serving over 500 students in the elementary grades. Tutoring was prioritized in the budget due to multiple factors. First and foremost, tutoring is an effective support for students. Additionally, tutoring is a requirement for some students under state law for promotion to the next grade. Also, it is state mandated for students that have been held back a grade to receive tutoring. For other students, tutoring provides that extra support that helps them reach proficiency.

One reason that we believe our program is so effective is that we utilize certified teachers as tutors. Most of our tutors are retired teachers for whom the part-time aspect is attractive. For retired teachers and teachers who are staying home with young children, the ability to use their education and experience to help children learn through our tutoring model is an ideal fit. Our tutors work with students twice a week for thirteen weeks each semester.

Debbie Webster is the coordinator of the tutoring program, having retired from teaching middle school English Language Arts at Maury in 2021. She, along with the tutors, truly embodies the spirit of the program. Webster has been instrumental in bringing together a team, recruiting at least half of the retired teachers on staff. In the photo to the right, she is pictured with two of her special recruits—her sisters!

We appreciate all of our tutors!

DES - Deborah Maples, Vera Reneau, Teresa Spruiell

JES - Pam Hester, Penny Inman, Madison Lowry

MHES - Mary Beth Ballinger-Day, Cecelia Crosby, Kameryn Keith

NMES - Karen Bible, Leslie Drew

PES - Cathy Adderhold, Pamela Hunter

RSS - Sharon Grubb, Wendy Hodge, Jeanette Woods

TES - Vickie Boatman, Sandy Muncy

WPS - Bethany Glenn, Anita Pinkston, Lisa Walker/Joni Hayes

The month of January brought snow and sickness, but many of our schools continued onward and upward in relation to high attendance. As we move into the spring months, remember that each day of school is important! Congratulations to our January winners!

New Market Elementary School's attendance program is thoughtfully designed to emphasize the importance of consistent school attendance through a combination of monthly awards, ongoing encouragement, and fun celebrations. Each month, students with perfect attendance receive certificates recognizing their commitment, fostering a culture of achievement. The school also reinforces this value during school-wide celebrations, spotlighting perfect attendance to motivate ongoing student engagement. The program culminates in exciting dance parties at key intervals, which serve as both rewards and incentives for maintaining good attendance. This integrated approach not only promotes regular attendance but also builds a supportive community that enhances student success.

We are proud of the work being done at Rush Strong School and Mount Horeb School as they take repeat wins for the month of December and January! A student focused approach is making a difference at both of these schools.

Jefferson County High School is one of the largest high schools in Tennessee, and the amount of support and opportunities it offers reflects that. As the main high school in Jefferson County, there is no shortage of students, but the staff handles this challenge elegantly and even has many ways to help individual students flourish. Jefferson County High School provides numerous opportunities for students to explore and prepare for their future through various programs of study, opportunities to explore their options, and strong support from staff and upperclassmen.

There are a total of thirty-two programs of study that students at JCHS can choose from, including many that can lead to jobs straight out of high school. The programs range from manufacturing, construction, arts, agriculture, education, healthcare, public service, business, and furthering education. In CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs, there are plenty of opportunities for students to work at an outside facility/workplace to get hands-on experience that prepares them for life after graduation.

In addition to the programs of study, there are also many opportunities for students to explore their options and take other classes they may be interested in. Students are able to ask questions of other students who have had the classes at our Electives Fair. This allows for meaningful interactions, as students often feel more comfortable seeking advice from peers rather than teachers. We also host college fairs where students can talk to representatives from colleges and technical schools in the area to figure out if one of them is the best fit. There are also many clubs for students to join where they can build communities, such as Leo Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Patriot Cultural Alliance, Art Club, Spanish Club, and Science Bowl. Out of around 20 different clubs, students are sure to find a community they want to be a part of. These clubs help students pursue their interests and connect with like-minded peers they may not otherwise meet.

Staff and other students offer support in many ways. There are registration nights for rising ninth and tenth graders to help them pick out classes that align with their academic goals. Counselors also go into tenth-grade classes to present and schedule personal or small group meetings to discuss each student’s four-year plan. Juniors meet individually with their counselors to discuss their senior year and ensure all loose ends are tied up before graduation. Likewise, seniors have individual meetings to make any last-minute changes and discuss their plans after high school.

There are also many workshops to help students complete the FAFSA and apply for other scholarships. Not to mention, students can schedule a meeting online with counselors for any needs they may have.

The high school offers numerous ways to support its students and help them advance. Even though there have been many changes throughout the past five years, there are still countless ways for students to get involved and grow throughout their high school career.

In a change aimed at enhancing student success both in high school and beyond, JCHS is updating the registration process to include an individual advising format that includes parents. This shift is designed to provide students with more personalized guidance as they plan their academic paths, and to help parents understand graduation requirements, six-year plans, programs of study, and other information important to a student’s success in high school.

As the assistant principal who supervises schedules and the counseling program, Emily Shoultz worked with counselors and staff to layer in a more tailored approach for registration. JCHS will continue to send high school counselors to middle schools for a presentation geared toward incoming freshmen; additionally, a parent night at Patriot Academy with an electives fair will also continue to provide valuable information to students and parents. The new plan includes one-on-one 10 minute appointments with current 8th and 9th graders/families for course requests and registration. Currently, rising 11th graders meet in small groups with counselors with the option of individual appointments, and rising seniors are required to meet one-on-one with counselors. With individual advising sessions for incoming freshmen and sophomores, students and parents have the opportunity to ask questions and build positive relationships with high school staff as they learn to navigate the registration process and understand high school programming as a whole.

Individual sessions with current sophomores and their families took place on March 3 and March 10; these sessions will be repeated on March 10 and 12 for current 8th graders and their families. To prepare for this additional layer of support, Shoultz and her team trained 20 staff members on the registration process, graduation requirements, six-year planning, and CCR/TISA criteria.

"We believe this new format will lead to better student outcomes and positive student/family/staff relationships," said Shoultz. "By taking the time to understand each student’s aspirations, strengths, and challenges, we can offer more relevant course recommendations and support."

The adoption process for science began in May 2024 as science teachers across the the district completed a survey to gather teachers' perspective on what strong science instruction looks like. In July, grade-level science leaders met to compile the survey results and draft a vision for science instruction to guide the curriculum review and selection process. Pam Oakes and Leah Hill, two of the grade-level science leads in the elementary grades, facilitated professional learning sessions in August while Stacey Merritt, Susan Martin, and Trish Swann facilitated the sessions for the middle school grades and Morgan Tate shared with the high school science teachers.

In September, Jefferson County Schools began working to establish the science adoption committee. In grades 3-8, principals selected a teacher representative from each grade in their school to serve on the committee. In high school, a representative was selected from each science course offered. The district sent out a call through social media to find parents willing to serve on the committee. Science teachers serving on the committee met after school on December 3 to review the state board approved adoption list and go over expectations for the review work. Parents met on January 21 to learn about the vision for strong science instruction, get an overview of the process, pick up the review forms, and learn about the expectations of committee members.

The curriculum review phase is currently underway. State approved materials are publicly available online through a state-provided link. Publishing companies have sent sample print materials to teacher committee members at each school. On February 12, some of our teachers on the committee participated in what's called a "caravan." This event is organized by the Tennessee Book Company so that reviewers can learn more about multiple curriculums all in one day. This day was set up so that teachers were able to hear from four different textbook company representatives. Teachers were able to ask questions and learn more about the strengths and weaknesses in the various programs. On the upcoming March 7 Professional Development Day, the plan is to give science committee members time in the afternoon to collaboratively complete their review rubrics.

The district has set up samples of the print materials at the bus garage in order for parent committee members and the community to have availability as well.

On March 11, parents and teacher committee members will meet to reach a decision about which curriculum to recommend for each grade band and/or science course. Members will review the rubrics that have been completed and discuss the input that has been collected before making a decision.

The committee's decision will be recommended for an adoption vote during the April School Board Meeting. By encouraging active participation, Jefferson County Schools ensures that selected curriculum meets the needs of students, parents, and teachers, aligning with the district's vision for science education.

National School Counselor week was celebrated February 3-7, 2025. School Counselors play a vital role in our school community by providing support to students, staff and the community on a variety of topics. Thank you for your hard work and dedication on meeting students where they are and helping them learn the skills they need to become successful in all aspects of their daily lives.

Also, we want to thank Dr. Alder for helping the counselors with 504s at the high school. This has enabled more time for classroom lessons and small group sessions.

We appreciate our school counselors!

DES - Lisa Allen and Tiffany Nix

JA - Kate Williams

JES - Jazmin Byrd

JMS - Megan Henshaw and Laurie Prather

JCHS - Aimee Cogdill, Jessica Estepp, Jennifer Hicks, Amber Ogle, Jennifer Sizemore

MHES - Debbi Finchum and Brooke Medley

MMS - Ivanna Finchum and Sara Waterman

NMES - Megan Williams

PES - Elizabeth Wheeler

RSS - Angie Davis, Brooke Medley and Hayley Moore (sub)

TES - Chelsey Scott

WPS - Cindy Hurst and Erika Jerezano

We love and appreciate our School Resource Officers!

Student contributors to the JCreate project were recognized for their creativity and dedication.

Congratulations to our amazing District-Level Teachers of the Year. These ladies will represent Jefferson County as they move on to the Regional-Level Teacher of the Year selection!