Educational News
The global market place is changing the face of education in Tennessee and across the United States. Those changes impact our educational environment. We will share local, regional and national educational news.
Hard Work Pays Off for Townsend Elementary School
Congratulations to Townsend Elementary School for being named a 2010 Nominee for the National Blue Ribbon Award. Townsend is one of six schools nominated in Tennessee by the state department of education. The school was named because of its dramatic improvement within specific parameters. Read more about it here: TN Names 2010 Nominees for National Blue [...]
January 4th, 2010
Post Secondary Education pays off with higher earnings and more job availability
The Tennessee Department of Education has instituted tougher new state standards to make sure our students are better prepared to face the world as young adults after high school. Our changing status from regional community to global society and the economic impact that has on our lives makes it imperative to provide the best educational [...]
September 28th, 2009
HHS wins big thanks to U.S. Cellular
A $100,000 windfall will give Heritage High School an opportunity to take care of some unmet needs, Principal Patty Mandigo said recently.
The school learned of the money last month after U.S. Cellular announced that Heritage was one of the national Top-10 vote getters in the company’s Calling All Communities promotion. Check out Blount Today’s story.
Mandigo [...]
March 20th, 2009
Congratulations Dr. Penny Ferguson
Recently, Dr. Penny Ferguson, a long-time educator at Maryville High School, traveled to Kansas to be inducted into the 2008 National Teachers Hall of Fame. She was one of three teachers from Tennessee to ever be afforded this national spotlight. We want to once again congratulate Dr. Ferguson on this career milestone and share a [...]
July 17th, 2008
MHS’s Ferguson travels to Kansas to receive award
Not every teacher gets to travel down the Yellow Brick Road in Kansas. Maryville High’s English Department Chair, Dr. Penny Ferguson, is one of the fortunate few. Emporia, Kansas-better known as Teacher Town USA-was host to the 2008 National Teachers Hall of Fame induction ceremonies held on June 18-21.
One of five teachers selected this year-the [...]
July 17th, 2008
Teaching students in the 21st Century
We all can remember being in school and the tools that our teachers used. All research was done in the library, and information was written up on the chalkboard. Depending on how old you are, the changes can be staggering. Chalkboards have given way to white boards that were erasable to SMART boards that interfaced [...]
June 4th, 2008
BC Fifth Annual Reading Conference Inspires Attendees
Blount County schools’ Fifth Annual Reading Conference provided educators with some food for thought over their summer holidays. Educational leader Todd Whitaker set the tone for the day, sharing with teachers and administrators the traits that he feels make a great teacher. He’s written several books on the subject. All students should be treated with respect [...]
June 4th, 2008
Porter teacher one of five to win state humanities award
By Matthew Stewart
of The Daily Times Staff –
The field of education continues to evolve as teachers become further aware of the ever-expanding world of resources available to them.
Great teachers are able to discern their students’ needs and tailor these new resources to the needs of a specific class. Great educators also possess a certain flexibility whereby they are constantly refining their lessons.
June 3rd, 2008
Students Need to be Recognized
It’s that time of year again when we reward our kids for all of their hard work. Each school system has its own awards for various activities and academics, and we should be proud of all of our students. Recently, three award ceremonies spotlighted students we would like share with you.
May 15th, 2008