Chattanooga, Tenn. – Alpine Crest Elementary School's Elementary BETA Club, under the guidance of sponsor teacher Clarissa Williams and recently retired educator Lisa Millard, continues to make significant strides in community service and student leadership. The BETA club has become a spotlight example of community connection and student engagement in Hamilton County Schools (HCS).
Clarissa Williams, a fourth-grade teacher, began assisting with sponsoring the Alpine Crest Elementary Beta during the 2023-2024 school year in conjunction with now-retired educator Lisa Millard. Williams officially became the primary school sponsor upon Millard's retirement this school year. Williams began her career with HCS in 2015, working in various roles, such as an educational assistant, before earning her certification and becoming a certified teacher last school year. Williams' passion lies in supporting student connection and empowerment, stating, "Teaching is more than just being a teacher; love comes first, school second."
Through this philosophy of education, Williams has found a love for creating student-to-community connections through the Elementary BETA Club program.
The Elementary BETA Club's activities are wide-ranging and focus on student leadership and community service. Last year, the Club hosted its first annual career fair at the school, inviting local businesses and leaders to set up booths and educate students about various career pathways. This fair aims to broaden students' opportunities and underscore the importance of education in shaping their lives after graduation.
Alpine Crest's BETA Club focuses on developing students as leaders and collaborators through activities such as providing "Happy Carts" for their teachers and visiting local assisted living facilities and animal shelters to give back to the community. Additionally, the Club attended the State and National Elementary BETA conventions for 2023-2024. The students participated in multiple competitions at state and national levels, including collaborative speech competitions, jewelry making, and art showcases.
The Club was also honored with a "School of Distinction" and "School of Merit" recognition, acknowledging their exemplary number of service hours and the growth of their club participants since the previous year. Williams and Millard were honored as Educators of Excellence, a distinction given to only 121 educators across the nation. This award recognizes their dedication to Elementary BETA and their service to students.
Elementary BETA is an exciting opportunity for students, as highlighted by Alpine Crest fifth grader Olivia Dooley. She shares, "It's really fun to help out our community and spend time with friends. I've learned about helping your community and caring for others. Going to the assisted living facility was my favorite part of the year. It's nice to put a smile on others' faces." Olivia's words reflect the sense of accomplishment and pride that the BETA Club instills in its members, inspiring others to follow their lead.
As the Club prepares for the upcoming convention, they are filled with anticipation and excitement. They look forward to continuing their support for the community and developing as leaders in their building. Williams expresses, "It's a lot of work, but the reward far outweighs the effort. We are creating a sense of community for our students and leaders for our community's future. I’m grateful to Ms. Millard for her support and starting this wonderful program for our students that I look forward to continuing."
Thank you to Alpine Crest, Clarissa Williams, and Lisa Millard for their dedication to our students and community. Your efforts are truly appreciated and we look forward to cheering for your continued success throughout the year!