Education

Learning Way fourth grade teacher Kevin Rhodes recently won a $100 Amazon card during the PTO’s recent fall fundraiser; his students sold 25 boxes of Moon Pies and earned a pizza party. PTO president Conswella Johnson congratulated Rhodes.

Retired Teachers of Bedford County met Wednesday at Urban Plantation. Sally Brockway McReynolds gave an devotion. The speaker was Shelbyville Central High School football coach Justin Palmer, who discussed the character-building aspects of his football program. One example is the mentor program for Palmer’s players, in which each young man is paired with an adult man in the community for support. Palmer is seen here with Bill Pietkiewicz.

To the Editor: I am a volunteer at Good Samaritan. This is my second year for helping unload the cans of food and other items donated by Shelbyville Central High School. First, I would like to thank all those who donated food and toiletry items. We were getting very low on some food items and also toilet paper. ...

The Motlow State Community College Music Department will present holiday concerts featuring The Motlow Vocal Ensemble and Community Band. Performances will be in Powers Auditorium inside Eoff Hall on the Moore County campus tonight at 7 p.m., with a matinee performance on Sunday at 2 p.m. There will be a reception with refreshments an hour before each concert...

The Webb School Chapel will be filled with music, song and fellowship on Thursday, Dec. 12, during the school's annual celebration of Lessons and Carols. The performance will begin at 7 p.m. A reception will follow in the Grace Follin Dining Hall on The Webb School campus. The event is free and open to the public...

With his usual joyful attitude, but also a little sadness, recent retiree Tim Miller cleaned out his second grade classroom at Cascade Elementary on Wednesday. He’s moving on to a different mission field. “Mr. Tim,” as he’s affectionately known by his students, said even after 32 years and eight months (those months are important to a retiree), he still has a lot to share as a teacher and mentor...

The Harris Middle School National Junior Honor Society and Student Council conducted a coin drive to benefit Shelbyville Community Soup Kitchen. Making the check presentation to Soup Kitchen representative Larry Theis, left, are NJHS President Caitlyn Burdick and Student Council President Carolina Rose.

Cassie Zebick, a Motlow State sophomore from Tullahoma; Gregg Garrison, professor of biology, and Sharon Kay Edwards, McMinnville branch librarian, are Motlow nominees for the 2019 Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Statewide Outstanding Achievement & Recognition (SOAR) Excellence Awards for community colleges in Tennessee...

Earlier this year, Eakin Elementary School and Learning Way Elementary School became the first schools outside of Nashville to benefit from Tennessee Performing Arts Center's "Disney Musicals In Schools" program. In 2020, it will be Cascade Elementary and East Side Elementary joining the program, along with schools from Coffee County, Cumberland County and Metro Nashville...

The automotive collision repair class at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville recently completed a project to strip and paint the Bedford County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Major Incident Communications bus. The used county school bus was transferred to EMA by Bedford County Schools. It is being repurposed into a major incident public safety communications response vehicle. The TCAT program agreed to strip and repaint the bus. This provided the students in the program a good opportunity to learn how to complete a large paint project and saved the county the cost of labor. Standing, from left: TCAT Instructor Eric Brown, students Logan McCann, Andres Jaimes, Arturo Ruiz and Reese Rowland. Kneeling: Alicia Anderson and Heath Jefferies.

Thomas Magnet School drama club will present a very lively Christmas musical, "Elf Jr." 6 p.m. Dec. 12-13. Ticket prices are $5 at the door for students and $7 for adults. The students took to the road this month, giving previews of their upcoming musical about little Elf Jr. The troupe, in full North Pole attire, visited the recent Shelbyville Woman's Club gathering at Riverbend Country Club...

Bedford County is holding steady with about the same state ratings for academic achievement as last year, according to Tennessee Department of Education’s newly released annual Report Card...

Neither the twain shall meet — or perhaps they will. That is how things stand between Bedford County Board of Education and Bedford County Board of Commissioners in regard to who should retain the right to select school architects. BCBE members moved last week to call a joint meeting with the county commission for Dec. 5 at Cascade High School, which was to be a chance for the two bodies to discuss the issue...

Students of Jennie Haskins Kindergarten Liberty Elementary Ava Rado – I would cook it for 20 minutes on my stove. Then eat it!!! Andy Smith – I would put it on the stove for 40 minutes. Then I would eat it with my friends. Lane Nevels – I would put it in a pan and eat it...

Motlow State will administer the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) several times throughout the remainder of 2019 and in 2020. Test locations will be on the Fayetteville, Smyrna, and Moore County campuses. Individuals interested in taking the HiSET must register online at Hiset.ets.org or by calling 855-694-4739. Applicants should contact the Adult Education Center in their community for information on preparation classes and vouchers...

Last week at Cascade, the Winter Semi-Formal Dance tickets began selling. The Winter Semi-Formal Dance is hosted by the senior class of 2020 as a mini prom. The dance will take place on Thursday, Dec. 19, just before all of Bedford County schools are let out for Christmas break. ...

While Response to Instruction and Intervention-Behavior RTI2-B sounds quite scientific, Learning Way Elementary is getting positive feedback as a result of its student behavior model, recently earning "mentor" school status within middle Tennessee. The Tennessee Behavior Supports Project (TBSP), funded by the Tennessee Department of Education, recently announced that Learning Way Elementary was selected as a 2019-2020 gold level RTI2-B Model of Demonstration School...

Shelbyville Central High School Criminal Justice instructor Chris Hobbs and assistant principal Michael McCoin have teamed up with the Criminal Justice Student Organization, Yoes Barber Shop, Bedford Farmers CO-OP and Dollar General to provide needy children across the Bedford County community with toys for Christmas. If any child is in need, contact Hobbs at the Shelbyville Central High School Annex at 931-684-1889 and have the child placed on the donation list. Any citizen interested in helping a needy child can drop a new toy off at any of the donation centers listed above.

Everyone needs encouragement. It provides an exhale during times of uncertainty or stress. After more than a decade of leading tnAchieves, the partnering organization to TN Promise in 90 Tennessee counties, I witness the life-changing power of encouragement each day...

School design showdown ahead School board, commission to discuss picks for architectFollowing discussion Tuesday about how Bedford County government has taken away its ability to hire architects, Bedford County Board of Education moved to request a special called joint meeting with Bedford County Board of Commissioners...

Motlow State Community College is offering the Accuplacer Assessment Test at all Motlow campuses multiple times through the 2020 calendar year. The Accuplacer replaced the Compass test. Students planning to enroll at Motlow for the spring semester who need to take the Accuplacer, which is used to assess a student's readiness for college-level work, should do so as soon as possible...

Seventy-three of Middle Tennessee State University's brightest students are now members of the university's most prestigious honor society. Jason Martin, interim dean of the James E. Walker Library, delivered the initiation address at Phi Kappa Phi's fall 2019 initiation ceremony Nov. 12) in the Student Union Ballroom...

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville will hold a graduation ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Shelbyville Central High School Auditorium. A total of 214 students met graduation requirements throughout the 2019 year and approximately 85 of these graduates from 13 programs are scheduled to participate in the ceremony. This will be the institution's sixth formal graduation ceremony since beginning the tradition in 2014...

On Nov. 11, Cascade hosted its 2019 Veterans Day program. The veterans were first welcomed into the media center with coffee, orange juice, fruit trays, and donuts before the actual program began. National Honor Society students greeted, chatted with, and guided the veterans to the gym when the program was ready to take place...

Tickets are now on sale for Songs for Service, a concert organized by country music star Rodney Atkins for Sept. 11, 2020, to benefit MTSU's Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center and Operation Song. Set for MTSU's historic Murphy Center Complex in Murfreesboro, the event was announced earlier this week during Operation Song's Veterans Day performance at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the website, SongsForService.org, is now available to process ticket sales and share event updates.. ...

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is calling on all fifth graders from across the state to participate in the 2020 National Missing Children’s Day poster contest. The annual contest, sponsored by the United States Department of Justice, strives to demonstrate America’s united effort to bring missing children home safely, while highlighting the importance of proactive education programs. ...

Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce's Workforce Development initiative recently held its third annual 7th Grade Career Exploration Fair at Calsonic Arena, where over 750 students from Cascade, Community, Liberty, and Harris Middle schools checked out booths and participated in various demonstrations...

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville has expanded the offerings in its Spring 2020 Supplemental Schedule. The schedule, soon to be released on the college's website, will include additional offerings of anatomy and physiology, and "Math for Meds," which are pre-requisites for entry into the practical nursing program. The courses will now be offered not only in Shelbyville but in Lincoln County and Franklin County...

Shelbyville Central High School Class of 1959 held a 60-year reunion. Front row, from left: Sylvia Curtis Warren, Mary Margaret Green Leach, Jerry Freeman, Jim Martin, Mary Ann Himes Shackleford. Second row: Pat Barton Finney, Carolyn Clanton Woodfin, Freda Curbow Alford, Dorothy Cates Williams, Barbara Smith Coop, Judy Parker Spain, Sarah Lee Russell Myracle, Meredith Gordon Earnest, Betty Tucker Thackston. Third row: Wanda Taylor Sleeth, Louise Troxler McEldowney, Judy Spurlock Higgins, Wanda Giles Grissom, Venita Foster McGee, Marie Koonce Parks, Martha Reed Deason, Becky Bowman, Sue Faulkner Cates, Marie Moulder Cartwright. Fourth row: Gary Patton, Gail Luna, Alvis Turrentine, Don Williams, Roger Arnold, Joe Alcorn, Andrew Lane. Fifth row: James Justice, William Woods, Ronald Wright, Buddy Chapman, Don Harrison, Alan Haynes, David Parks, Reagor Branch, Jim Stone, Jim Bomar. Not pictured: Anne Bramblett King, John Templeton.

The Liberty Honor Club hosted “Socktober” during the month of October. Each grade level was asked to bring in socks to donate to Clothe Our Kids of Bedford County. The grade levels competed for a spooky Halloween treat. The club collected over 1,300 pairs of socks. Students had one themed day each week of October. Club members are pictured with Kenzie Miller, vice president of Clothe Our Kids of Bedford County. Not pictured is Whitley Kratz, president of Clothe Our Kids of Bedford County.

There's a specialized program at Middle Tennessee State University that is preparing educators to learn more deeply about ... learning. It's the Specialist in Education, or Ed.S., degree in curriculum and instruction that explores cultural diversity, mental processes, and cognitive neuroscience and their impact on the exciting world of teaching and learning...

Last week at Cascade, students began the week with the Powderpuff games held Tuesday night. During the games, teams battled to be the best of the best when it comes to girls' football. The freshmen took on the juniors before the sophomores challenged the seniors. ...

Will you be the one whose True Blue blood donation Nov. 18-20 at MTSU can help save three neighbors' lives? MTSU is celebrating nearly a decade of friendly competition with Conference USA rival Western Kentucky University by preparing to "Bleed Blue, Beat WKU" at its annual three-day drive in the Campus Recreation Center, 1848 Blue Raider Drive...

Cascade Middle School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) recently partnered with Shelbyville Central High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) in an effort to provide hundreds of coats to help keep Bedford County kids warm. With freezing temps predicted for the coming week, the groups couldn’t have better timing...

Prior to Halloween, Cascade High FFA and Health Occupations Students of America members covered themselves in fake blood. This wasn't for trick-or-treat purposes, but rather for a teen driving crash simulation. Texting and driving and ATV safety were the main focus of a recent teen motor vehicle safety program held on the grounds of the new high school on Fairfield Pike...

Last week at Cascade, the FCCLA club continued to sell Pura Vida bracelets to students and teachers. They charge just $6 per bracelet, and all proceeds are going to the Ronald McDonald House in Nashville. The Ronald McDonald House provides food and shelter for parents of children between infant to 21 in any local Nashville hospital. ...

Middle Tennessee State University awards an array of guaranteed academic merit scholarship opportunities to first-time, incoming freshmen based on ACT scores and GPA. But students must have a complete application on file with the MTSU Admissions Office by Dec. 1 to be considered for a scholarship. And with Dec. 1 falling on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, anything students need from high school counselors must be obtained before the holiday break...

Learning Way Elementary recently hosted parent-teacher conferences and a community education fair. Community booths were set up in the hallways so parents could get information before or after their conferences. Local business sponsors and other donors of door prizes were acknowledged with great appreciation and lots of smiles. Student winners, front row, from left, are Yadiel Guzman Morales, Abigail Rico Morales, Jayden Comer, Bailey Gibbs, Vanessa Contreses Cabera, Kailey Cogburn, Violet Hull, Keyanu Waldron, Aileen Ochoca, Jocelyn Aparico Lopez, Candelaria Lopez Perez, Esveydi Diaz Roblero, Karen Cruz Diaz. Back row: Blake Teal, Diego Tomas, Ruby Torres, Jairo Perez Solis, Kristopher Berry, Kayden Keys, Diana Galindo, Peyton Everett, Madison Warrick, Cordell Dukes, Elizabeth Martinez, Destiny Bradley, Colt Jeansonne, Kevin Ridner and Jesus Velazquez Amaro.

In June of this year Dorothy Brandon, Nick Moore, Ian Alcox, and Allison Davis won the state 4-H Meat Identification and Judging Competition that was held in Knoxville. They also earned the privilege to represent the state of Tennessee in the National 4-H Meats Competition in Manhattan, Kansas...

On Oct. 21, the Bedford County FFA Chapter of Shelbyville Central High School traveled to Oak Ridge to compete in the Tennessee FFA State Land Judging competition. The team placed fourth out of the 12 teams competing. By placing in the top five teams in the event, the team qualifies to go to the National Land Judging competition in Oklahoma City in May. Team member Khloe Davis was the sixth high scoring individual and Dorothy Brandon was the 10th high scoring individual. From left are Brandon, Davis, Cali Mason and Allison McCarty. (Submitted photo)

Motlow College Foundation held its annual scholarship reception recently, recognizing scholarship donors and recipients, including 12 recipients from Bedford County. From left are Caroline Smith, Mya Burrahm, Abigayle Jones, and Haley Anthony, each of whom received the Mary Lynn and Bob Prince Scholarship; and Rylee Jones, who received the Henry Davis Memorial Scholarship. Not pictured: Joseph Gilliland, Jade Goins, and Brookelynne Meyers, who received the Mary Lynn and Bob Prince Scholarship; Jacqueline Valdez, who received the Delene Stone Memorial Scholarship; Sarah Thomas, who received the Rhonda and Max Jarrell Nursing Scholarship; Shieann Sanders, who received the Lindsey and Eleanor Hall Scholarship; and Jessica Thomas, who received the Megan’s Bridge LPN to RN Scholarship.

Shelbyville Central High School recently held its Renaissance Festival, featuring a surprise super hero theme. Administrative staff in super hero disguise, from left, are Assistant Principal Dee McCullough, Principal Tim Harwell, wearing the number “5” which is how SCHS recently ranked top in state accountability scores, Assistant Principals Brad Davis, Rebecca Tidwell and Michael McCoin.

Questions have been raised and statements made by both Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham and Bedford County Board of Education recently in regard to who has the authority to hire school architects. Here are a few coming to light: Perhaps, since the county has made its decision on its new architect, and based on recent school board meeting discussions...

After doing her research and realizing there are limited activities locally for children with special needs, Taryn Sjostrom, a Tullahoma mother, reached out to individuals at the Hands-On Science Center about creating a sensory-friendly room. "The idea started with a family vacation to Dollywood," Sjostrom said. "It was such an amazing experience to be able to go and have what is considered 'normal' family fun. Having a child with autism, I know how hard it can be sometimes to do these things."...

The Hands-On Science Center in Tullahoma will host its annual Science of Wine, Brew, and Spirits fundraiser on Nov. 9 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The 21-and-over event includes food, music, auctions, fundraising, and tastings of wine, beer, and spirits. Go to HOSC.org to purchase tickets or for more information...

The Cascade High School marching band, under the direction of David Lucich, won the 2019 Division 1 state championship during competition Saturday at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro. Students and faculty are seen here celebrating the win.

Smokestack Theatre at Community High School will present the original play "Night Of The Living Dead 1984," written and directed by the school's drama teacher, Anthony Davis, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2, at the school's auditorium. Admission is $5 at the door...

Bedford County Board of Education recently learned that every Bedford County high school student now has a digital voice. What this means is that the board's strategy to phase-in a 1:1 computer device ratio in classrooms-- one device for every student -- is on target, with just a few minor reported glitches, based on a report from technology supervisor Ben Barrett...

When twenty-something Jordan Ray finishes her day of teaching agriculture mechanics at Shelbyville Central High School's Career and Technical Education program she's likely to get dirty working on cars at her father's shop, Hockaday's Auto Repair. "I know my way around cars," she said. "I can do anything on a car. I grew up with it. I'm there every day after school, still."...