Hamilton County Schools

As a district, Hamilton County Schools knows our female teachers of color have unique experiences and challenges in the workplace. As part of our strategic plan and intentional commitment to every employee feeling valued, the talent department has expanded its Male Teachers of Color initiative and created Female Teachers of Color (FemTOC). FemTOC brings together teachers from all over the district to find mentorship and a sense of belonging and support with their peers.

Transitioning from middle to high school can feel overwhelming, but Freshman Academies make this leap more manageable. These academies provide a smaller, supportive community where students can build confidence, explore their interests, and develop skills to succeed both academically and personally. Tyner Academy’s Freshman Lead Teacher, Trevor Wilson, and The Howard School’s Freshman Academy Administrator, Dr. Genise Evans-Fletcher, provided insight into how Freshman Academies help students thrive.

East Ridge High School has various Future Ready Institutes to help students figure out what they want to do after high school. These programs, or pathways, let students explore different careers and get experience while still in school. We talked to the College & Career Advisors, Emily Earwood and Lee Ann Samuels, and Whitney Clark, the Future Ready Institute Lead, to learn more about how these programs work and why they’re so great.

Glenda Mendez Perez never planned on becoming a medical assistant. In fact, she didn't even know what a medical assistant was when she first started taking health science classes in high school. But as she continued to take classes and eventually earned her certification, she realized she now had a great foundation, even if it wasn’t intentional.

When Leanne Weiler, a first-year kindergarten teacher at East Ridge Elementary (ERES), began her career in August, she set out to build lasting relationships with her students, positively impact lives, and embrace the unexpected. Now, in late November, Weiler has found her rhythm as an educator and has become a trusted guide and friend to her kindergarten students.

Konstantine Vlasis, a 2009 graduate of Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences (CSAS), is combining creativity with science to improve our understanding of the world–specifically, Iceland’s glaciers. A 2024 Fulbright-National Geographic Award recipient, Vlasis is blending his passions for music, science, and environmental conservation through his project, “When Glaciers Sing.” As an environmental composer, percussionist, and audio researcher, Vlasis is crafting an immersive audio story that explores the health of Iceland’s glaciers through the lens of sound. His innovative approach involves listening to the glaciers themselves and examining how traditional Icelandic songs have traced the human ecology of these icy landscapes throughout history.

Edward Potter, a dedicated math teacher at Central High School, has made it his mission to transform how students perceive their mathematics abilities. Math has long been frustrating and a subject of self-doubt for many students entering his classroom. They believe they are inherently “bad at math” and success in math is beyond their reach. However, Potter sees this as his opportunity to change that narrative. His goal is not just to teach math but to help students have a successful year where they realize that they can master any obstacle they may face in life. For Potter, the reward lies in witnessing students gain confidence and recognize their potential.

We are excited to announce the expansion of the Literacy First tutoring program, which started at East Side Elementary School during the 2023-24 school year.

Hamilton County Schools (HCS) hosted its biennial Partners in Education Awards Breakfast at the Read House on Friday, November 15, to celebrate the power of partnership and honor the unwavering commitment of community partners who help to ensure all children thrive.

November is National Scholarship Month, highlighting the importance of financial support for higher education. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of this time by actively exploring scholarship opportunities. Sarah Malone, the Lead College and Career Advisor for Hamilton County Schools, makes it clear that the district’s commitment to student success goes beyond the basics of academic advising.

April Wyatt, a teacher at Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences (CSAS), has been inspiring students for over 20 years. Wyatt, who is an alumna of the school herself, described her path into teaching as heavily influenced by Pat Conroy's The Water is Wide, a book that highlighted the impact a dedicated teacher can have on students. "I was really inspired by the passion he had for those kids," she recalled.

Clangs, bellows, bangs, and blares fill Room 1314 at East Hamilton High School (EHHS). Here, band director Molly Epperson shapes students into skilled musicians and well-rounded individuals. This close-knit, family-like environment allows students a place to express their authentic identities while being a part of something larger than themselves.