logo
Knox County Schools names its 200 top teachers, honors the Teachers of the Year

Knox County Schools names its 200 top teachers, honors the Teachers of the Year

Yahoo27-02-2025

Knox County Schools honored nearly 200 of its top educators at the annual Teacher of the Year banquet on Feb. 25.
Teachers representing each school attended the event at the Knoxville Convention Center, and winners were recognized for each grade grouping, according to a KCS news release.
Recipients were nominated by their peers and selected using the Tennessee Department of Education's guidelines for Teacher of the Year.
Districtwide winners are:
PreK-fourth grade: Ellen Monroe, a speech-language therapist at Inskip Elementary School. Monroe begins her sessions with positive affirmations for students, according to a video the district released.
Grades 5-8: Emily Butterfield, an eighth-grade science teacher at Bearden Middle School. Butterfield said in a video she focuses on "progress, not perfection" in her science classes.
Grades 9-12: Keith Leonard, an English language arts teacher at Fulton High School. Leonard co-founded Fulton's comic and manga club, and now teaches a genre literature course using comic books and graphic novels as a teaching tool, according to a video from the district.
Here is a full list of all winners from around the district, by region and school:
A.L. Lotts Elementary: Monet Crow, Megan Edman, Sherin Linsley
Bearden Elementary: Diane Boles
Blue Grass Elementary: Hillary Hudson
Farragut Intermediate: Sarah Campbell, Stephanie Ott, Cody Sipe
Farragut Primary: Tracy Best, Laura Proffitt, Amy Stackhouse
Northshore Elementary: Carol Giles, Courtney Maynard, Sarah Michalowski
Pond Gap Elementary: Emily Abeles
Rocky Hill Elementary: Samantha Quintero Forstrom, Claire Williams
Sequoyah Elementary: Ashton McNabb
West Hills Elementary: Ashley Flemming, Nicole Wells, Lindsey Kirkpatrick
Bearden Middle: Emily Butterfield, Chase Finley, Taylor Lagan, Savannah Prator
Farragut Middle: Trudy Hopper, Susan Kirt, Hannah Richardson, Marianne Voiles
West Valley Middle: Nicole Alberts, Jody Murphy, Emily Roskop
Bearden High: Colleen Barnett, Kelly Beason, Anne Marie Fine, Anna Saeli, Tim Vacek
Farragut High: Titus Arthur, Angela Breeding, Keely Chamberlain, Al Fontenot , Mitchell Moore, Kristi Ramsey
West High: Kathleen Colbert, Ember Lundy, Dustin Lyles, Dani Sorrells, Jennifer Ufnar
Amherst Elementary: Stacie Dougherty, Nyla Hopwood
Ball Camp Elementary: Robyn Bayne
Cedar Bluff Elementary: Angela Childers, Kelly Schippers, Jennie Williams
Hardin Valley Elementary: Chelsea Gillis, Ashley Moore, Deirdre Kopp Pokrzywa
Karns Elementary: Lori Ford, Meg Grover, Carly Norman, Jaime Woolman
Knox County Virtual: Lindsey L. Cope, Jordan Edwards
Mill Creek Elementary: Emily Human, Gretchen McCord
Norwood Elementary: Diana Noel
Pleasant Ridge Elementary: Kim Dodson
Powell Elementary: Beth Antone, Terry Wright
West Haven Elementary: Jordan Barrow
Cedar Bluff Middle: Abigail Hatala, Kathleen Smith
Hardin Valley Middle: Amy Fields Caldwell, Amy Parisi, Alice Williams
Karns Middle: Natalie Griffey, Lindy McCollam, Stephanie Morse
Northwest Middle: Nicole Duke, Katie Erb, Justin McConnell
Powell Middle: Patrick Davis, Kim Longmire
Hardin Valley Academy: Logan Atwell, Tracey Davis, Rebecca Furman, Laura L. Shands, John Sides, Kayla Webster
Karns High: Phillip Beeler, Paula Kenney, Shawn Knapp, Melissa Mink , Kelli Ochsenbein
Powell High: Diane Carcello, Brittney Franse, Terry Lawlor, Pam Parker
Bonny Kate Elementary: Heather Davenport, Laura Snapp
Carter Elementary: Lindsey Harrell, Melina McMahan
Chilhowee Intermediate: Britney McCarter
Dogwood Elementary: Lisa Brown, Catherine G. Maples
East Knox County Elementary: Abigail Coffey, Beverly Morton
Gap Creek Elementary: Tina Whitehead
Mooreland Heights Elementary: Jenny Holt
Mount Olive Elementary: Stacy Davis
New Hopewell Elementary: Jennifer Willoughby
Newcomer Academy: Clayton Kennedy
South Knoxville Elementary: Jennifer Bowes
Sunnyview Primary: Hannah Robinson
Carter Middle: Annie Hamby, Rachel Morris
South-Doyle Middle: Alfredo Acosta III, Lisa Ison, Paul Smith
Career Magnet Academy: Jamie Clement Scott
Carter High: Scott Bray, Casey A. Brooks, Julianna Chun
L&N STEM Academy: Sarah Elliott
Paul Kelley Volunteer Academy: Melvin Hopewell
South-Doyle High: Emily Frei, Daniel Owen, Susan Reynolds
Adrian Burnett Elementary: Andrew Crowe, Rebecca Petroskey
Brickey-McCloud Elementary: Kayla Jadwin, Amy Renfro, Tracey Walker
Copper Ridge Elementary: Paula Holland, Carla Wilkerson
Corryton Elementary: Erin Gray
Fountain City Elementary: Brigitte McMillan Stair
Gibbs Elementary: Hope Allen, Ronna Gregory, Deborah Hensley
Halls Elementary: Brittney Ogle, Frances York
Inskip Elementary: Cynthia Marvel, Ellen Monroe
Ritta Elementary: Taylor Duncan, Susan Jordan Gilliam
Shannondale Elementary: Julie Sebastian
Sterchi Elementary: Chris Burgess
Gibbs Middle: Brianne Roberts, Bethany Sharp
Gresham Middle: Jere Carman, Bryan Paschal , Sonya Williams
Halls Middle: Joanne Dean, Katie Fine, Paul A. Ramos
K.A.E.C.: Mary C. Lancaster
Ridgedale School: Renee C. Kaisare, Kate Uzubell
Richard Yoakley School: Tracy Eaton
Central High: Tracy D. Kelly, Tracy Pace, Carrie Whaley
Gibbs High: Laura Beal, Melissa Graves, Aaron Large
Halls High: Jim McPhetridge, Erika Neely, Trina Polston
Beaumont Magnet Academy: Hannah Bond, Erin Dunleavy
Belle Morris Elementary: Kelsey Cupp, Earlene Romero
Christenberry Elementary: Karleigh Brockman, Ashley Lynch
Green Magnet Academy: Cara Kirkland
Lonsdale Elementary: Cassandra Altuzar Jamison, Porscha Juanita Settlemyer
Maynard Elementary: Michael A. Rodgers
Sarah Moore Greene Magnet: Natalie Andrews, Antwan Avant Jr., Melanie Ratliff
Spring Hill Elementary: Kimberly Fischer, Wil Turner
Holston Middle: Mary Bee, Karen M. Pallesen
Vine Middle Magnet: Jessica L. Huffaker, Reid L. Jackson
Whittle Springs Middle: Dennis L. Groenke Jr., Marc Anthony Ross
Austin-East Magnet High: Annabelle Barto, Mahongony Chambers, Kara Gourley
Fulton High: Katie Burdette, Keith Wayne Leonard, Beth Nelson, Kimberly Young-Forster
Cedar Bluff Preschool: Jo Parker Lynch
Fair Garden Family Center: Angie Hamstead
Fort Sanders Educational Development Center: Courtney Luttrell
Karns Preschool: Renee R. Sellers
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County Schools honors its 2025 Teachers of the Year

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Collaborative Literacy meets criteria for Michigan's Tier 1 Early Literacy evaluation and is eligible for Section 35m funding
Collaborative Literacy meets criteria for Michigan's Tier 1 Early Literacy evaluation and is eligible for Section 35m funding

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Collaborative Literacy meets criteria for Michigan's Tier 1 Early Literacy evaluation and is eligible for Section 35m funding

LANSING, Mich., June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Department of Education's Committee for Literacy Achievement (CLA) critically evaluated and ranked Tier 1 early literacy curriculum materials. Collaborative Literacy curriculum, the only core program offered by a nonprofit organization, is comprised of the Being a Reader and Being a Writer programs. Collaborative Literacy successfully met the criteria set forth by the CLA and therefore qualifies for Section 35m funding. This funding is part of the Michigan FY 2025 State School Aid and supports the Department's goal of increasing student academic outcomes in the area of literacy. "We're thrilled that Michigan has recognized Collaborative Literacy as a high-quality, evidence-based solution for Tier 1 literacy instruction," said Kelly Stuart, Collaborative Classroom President and CEO. "It's an honor to support Michigan educators with proven, comprehensive, and instructionally aligned solutions grounded in the research base." Jeremy Hyler, Michigan Senior Manager of Educational Partnerships at Collaborative Classroom, said, "This recognition by the state underscores the effectiveness and rigor of Collaborative Literacy in fostering literacy development for all students. This program is built on the science of reading and is already transforming literacy outcomes for students across Michigan." Learn how Michigan students are succeeding with Collaborative Literacy: Collaborative Literacy Builds Proficient Readers and Writers Critically evaluated and ranked by the Michigan Department of Education's Committee for Literacy Achievement for Tier 1 Early Literacy, Collaborative Literacy is a comprehensive K–5 curriculum that builds strong and knowledgeable readers and writers, creates vibrant and caring classroom communities, and empowers teachers to deepen their knowledge and expertise. Being a Reader™ and Being a Writer™, the two dynamic programs that comprise Collaborative Literacy, weave together the latest research in literacy and learning, integrated social skills development, and embedded professional learning. A complete solution for core reading and writing instruction, Collaborative Literacy provides: Comprehensive, research-based reading instruction that systematically develops both foundational skills and comprehension. Whole-class, student-centered writing instruction that focuses on process and conventions across genres. High-quality, high-interest fiction and nonfiction texts selected to support the instructional focus of each lesson and engage all students. Knowledge building through the integration of reading and writing experiences. Students actively foster their curiosity, build their knowledge, and become experts on topics that truly matter to them. English learner pre-teaching, extension, and point-of-need supports that help teachers provide scaffolding and prepare English learners to participate confidently in lessons. Integrated social-skills development that creates a supportive classroom community and nurtures students' sense of responsibility for their own learning and behavior. Embedded, continuous professional learning that empowers teachers to expand their content knowledge and deepen their pedagogical expertise. Formative and summative assessments that support instructional decision-making for the class, groups of students with similar points of need, and individual students. About Collaborative Classroom Collaborative Classroom is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that all students become readers, writers, and thinkers who learn from, care for, and respect one another. Through evidence-based programs and embedded professional learning, the organization transforms teaching and learning and builds thriving school communities. Since the organization's founding, our work has reached more than 10 million students and 440,000 educators across the country. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Collaborative Classroom

Portuguese is the third most-spoken language in Utah
Portuguese is the third most-spoken language in Utah

Axios

time3 hours ago

  • Axios

Portuguese is the third most-spoken language in Utah

Portuguese, Chinese and German are the three most commonly spoken languages in Utah, other than English and Spanish, per new census data. Why it matters: The myriad languages spoken across the state reflect the settlement and colonization of centuries long past, as well as more modern immigration patterns. By the numbers: Just over 13,800 people speak Portuguese in Utah, followed by 9,100 Chinese speakers and 8,500 German speakers, per the census data. That is a fraction of the 310,300 Spanish speakers in the Beehive State. The survey data represents the languages spoken at home from 2017 to 2021 among people five years and older in the U.S. The intrigue: Portuguese is prevalent in Utah in part because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has ties to Brazil. The South American country is home to 1.5 million church members, according to church statistics. As of 2022, about 7,700 foreign-born residents of Utah hailed from Brazil, according to Portuguese is the top language after English and Spanish in four other states: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Between the lines: Nationally, many multilingual people speak one language at home with family, but use English at work, school and elsewhere. Just over 60% of people who speak a language other than English at home also say they speak English "very well," per the census data. Zoom out: Chinese, Tagalog and Vietnamese are the three most common languages spoken in the U.S. after English and Spanish, per the census data.

United Way officials encouraged by awareness of 211 services; ‘We're very excited about the results of the … survey'
United Way officials encouraged by awareness of 211 services; ‘We're very excited about the results of the … survey'

Chicago Tribune

time19 hours ago

  • Chicago Tribune

United Way officials encouraged by awareness of 211 services; ‘We're very excited about the results of the … survey'

Awareness of the 211 Lake County service offered by United Way of Lake County to help people with a variety of needs — from paying for rent or a utility bill, to escaping domestic violence, to mental health, to legal issues and more — is growing and exceeding expectations, officials say. Three years after it was started in 2019, a survey commissioned by United Way showed 21.5% of county residents were aware of the telephone service's existence. Three years later, Gale Graves, the organization's vice president of community impact, said people are substantially more aware. After the initial survey, Graves said a second study was ordered earlier this year to determine whether the efforts to let people know how the service can help were fruitful. 'We're very excited about the results of the awareness survey,' she said, 'In 2022, we were told 15% (awareness) would be good, and we did 21.5%. Our awareness in Lake County is increasing even more. With a third aware, we are drawing awareness across the county.' Awareness of United Way's 211 service grew 63.4% between 2022 and 2025, with 33.4% of residents surveyed cognizant of the assistance across Lake County. The organization is using the latest survey results to help it plan for the future. Though anyone in Lake County might need to call 211, Graves said a larger percentage are those living below the poverty level, 8%, or who do not earn a living wage, 26%, are knowledgeable. ''People who are not earning a living wage' means they are not earning enough to be able to afford basic needs like housing, utilities or healthcare,' Graves said. 'They are not able to afford all the basics.' Among people or families with income less than $50,000 a year, Jennifer Strom, United Way's director of marketing and communications, said in an email awareness is higher, with 43.5% of the subgroup knowledgeable. Strom said a large number of calls come from people dealing with homelessness and needing shelter, recovering from substance abuse, those with mental health needs or crime victims. They are referred to partner agencies specializing in their situations. 'Some of our partner agencies serve the Spanish-speaking and immigrant communities,' Strom said. For those not speaking English or Spanish, Graves said there are interpretation services for 150 languages including Polish, Korean, Hindi, Russian, Ukrainian, Tagalog, Urdu and Mandarin. Part of the reason for the growth in awareness exceeding expectations comes from United Way's outreach to the county's Spanish-speaking community. Newspaper and radio commercials were done in both languages, according to a press release. Materials are multicultural. Between Jan. 1 and March 31 of this year, 211 has reached 14,884 community contacts and 1,300 people have been trained to use the service, according to the release. The training is done in both English and Spanish. Graves said United Way regularly goes to community events and holds workshops to both increase awareness and teach people how to use the 211 service. There is also contact with community partners who specialize in particular needs. 'We talk to people to make them aware of 211,' Graves said. 'We do trainings with people to teach them how to use 211.' Community partners include Family First of Lake County, NIRCO, school districts, HACES, Mano a Mano, libraries, the YWCA and more.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store