Hamilton County Schools

Students from Hamilton County Collegiate High School at Chattanooga State will demonstrate their mechatronics skills at the Volkswagen Academy Open House on Thursday, Feb. 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The students will showcase what they have learned in the cooperative program with Volkswagen.

Open enrollment registration is now available for Howard Connect Academy. The innovative new school will open its doors this August to welcome the class of 2026, with seats available to 150 rising sixth graders.

Hamilton County Schools is looking for top teaching talent for classrooms this fall. The district will hold the Spring Teacher Hiring Event expected to attract experienced teachers and soon-to-be college graduates with an education degree interested in teaching in Hamilton County Schools. East Brainerd Elementary School will be the location of the event scheduled for Saturday, February 23, from 9 a.m.to 12 p.m. Principals from Hamilton County Schools and district hiring managers will be at the event prepared to offer teaching and staff positions to certified teachers, support staff, speech/language pathologists, and school psychologists. The event attracted more than 200 applicants last year, and organizers expect more than 250 this year.

Dr. Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, presented the State of the System address to the community on Thursday at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences. An excellent crowd of parents, students, community leaders, teachers, administrators, and staff gathered to hear about successes, challenges and the promise of the future for Hamilton County Schools. “We want to talk tonight about promise. The promise that exists within our school system,” Johnson said. “We want kids to reach their highest and fullest potential.”

To reach the promise Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson outlined in the State of the System address last night, everyone in the community needs to be a part of improving our schools for the children of Hamilton County. An opportunity for parents, staff and the community to share their thoughts for the future starts next week with two listening sessions scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. The sessions will be the first of five total sessions, one in each Learning Community, across the district. Red Bank Middle School in the Rock Point Learning Community will host the Monday session at 6 p.m. The Tuesday session will be at Loftis Middle School in the North River Learning Community.

Ooltewah Elementary School welcomes their new principal this week as Dr. Frank Fischel assumes the role at the school. Fischel is focused on the success of young children and looks forward to providing an atmosphere of growth for the children of the Ooltewah community. “I have worked in a lot of different educational atmospheres, but I sincerely love to work in elementary schools,” Fischel said. “The youthful enthusiasm and excitement for learning that you see in the faces of elementary children is infectious and inspires me in my life and work.”

Becky Piper, an exceptional education assistant at Battle Academy, received an “I Am Hamilton” shirt for her selfless passion for service to the children and staff at Battle Academy. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.

Applications are now open for Future Ready Institutes, open enrollment schools, and early college options for the 2019-2020 school year for Hamilton County Schools. Applications will remain open for these options through March 15.

New Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has been in office less than a month and one of his first visits involving education is to Hamilton County Schools to see the apprenticeship partnership between Hamilton County Schools and Gestamp. The work-based learning program is the first in Tennessee to earn the U.S. Department of Labor’s registered apprenticeship designation. The program is now a registered apprenticeship in advanced manufacturing that allows high school students to get a full-day work-based learning experience while also completing their education. Students take online academic classes in a computer lab at Gestamp and get actual work experience during the school day in the Gestamp plant.

Amy Robinson, administrative assistant at STEM School Chattanooga, received an “I Am Hamilton” shirt for her dedication to the service of the students and staff at STEM School Chattanooga. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.

“I am Hamilton” spotlights the contributions of alumni, teachers, parents, students, support workers, and community members in providing opportunities for children in the classrooms of Hamilton County Schools. Better opportunities for children today mean a brighter future filled with possibilities for our graduates, their families, and the community.

Brainerd High School has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division. Brainerd High is home to the Institute of Aviation, a Future Ready Institute in Hamilton County Schools.