Aguilera, Candice
Special Education Teacher
Born in: Covina, California
College attended: Nashville State Community College
Started working with children in: 2018
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing the look on a child's face when they realize they've succeeded
3 things I love: Spending time with my family, my job, and baking
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Ahne, Jessica
First Grade Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN College attended: Austin Peay State University & TSU Started Teaching: 1995 Favorite thing about my job: I love to watch students grow and be confident in their learning. 3 things I love: God, my family, all kinds of crafts Favorite quote: Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
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Arbogast, Karleigh
Tier 1 Parapro
Born in: Selinsgrove, PA
College(s) attended: Delaware Valley University; NSCC
Started working with students in: 2021
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing the progress with students
3 things I love: Family, my pets, baking
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Arnold, Penny
School Nurse
Born in: Okinawa, Japan
College attended: Christian Life College, TN Tech Center, Excelsior College
Started working with children in: 2019
Favorite thing about my job: The Students and staff
3 things I love: Family time, Camping, and Reading
Favorite quote: "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer every man." Col 4:6
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Arturi, Kristina
Music Teacher
Born in: Rockledge, FL
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 2003
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing the happiness on children's faces as they create music
3 things I love: Jesus, my family, and cheesecake!
Favorite quote: Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
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Bell, Karen
TLC Assistant
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Bowens, Raianna
Office Assistant / ISS
Born in: Clovis, CA
College attended: Nashville State, and currently attending Western Governors University
Started working with children in: 2018
Favorite thing about my job: Working with the Students, and watching them grow
3 things I love: My Family, Basketball & Coffee
Favorite quote: Work Hard In Silence, Let Success Make The Noise
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Brake, Melba
Attendance Secretary
Born in: Dickson, TN
Colleges attended: Tennessee Tech
Started working with children in: 1999
Favorite thing about my job: Smiling and the children
3 things I love: Walking, time with family, cooking
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Brendemuehl, Chelsea
Special Education Assistant
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Burns, Dana
Title One Assistant
Born in: Nashville, TN
Started working with children in: 2008 subbing
Favorite thing about my job: The one on one with the students in small groups and getting to know them personally is by far my favorite thing about my job 3 things I love: God, Family, and the Lake Favorite quote: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
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Castaneda, Ryan
Fifth Grade Teacher
Born in: Hanford, CA College attended: Belmont University Started teaching in: 2022 Favorite thing about my job: Putting failures and mistakes into a growth perspective. 3 things I love: God, Spending time with my family, and exercising. Favorite quote: “Be Curious, Not Judgmental”
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Cathey, Marcia
Title One Interventionist
Born: Dickson TN College Attended: APSU Started Teaching In: 1987 Favorite thing about my job: Watching kids learn 3 things I love: family, reading, friends Favorite Quote: We dislike what we don't understand
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Cato, Kim
Title One Interventionist
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: University of TN, Knoxville; Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 1989
Favorite thing about my job: Helping students learn to read and succeed!
3 things I love: My family, Reading, Shopping
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Cummings, Ashley
Kindergarten Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN Colleges attended: Nashville State Community College & Austin Peay State University Started teaching in: 2023, but have worked with children since 2017 Favorite thing about my job: Seeing students have their lightbulb moment. 3 things I love: Jesus, Disney, my family! Favorite quote: "If you can dream it, you can do it." -Walt Disney
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Cunningham, Christy
Cafeteria Monitor
Born: Dickson Years working with kids: 16 years Favorite thing about your job: Working and helping the kids. The hugs and smiles make my day. Three things you love: Family/Friends, Roll Tide and Sweet Tea Favorite Quote: "It is what it is"
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Daniel, Stephanie
Special Education Assistant
Born in: Dickson, TN
Started working with children in: 1989
Favorite thing about my job: the hours 3 things I love DIY projects, family, Nature Favorite quote You may not understand now, but someday you will.
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Dansby, Deirdre
Title Assistant
Born in: Nashville, TN
Started working with students in: 2020
Favorite thing about my job: Helping teachers and kids learn new skills
3 things I love: God, family, and reading
Favorite quote: Adventure begins one book at a Time! - Anonymous
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Dansby, Elease
Special Education Assistant
Born in: Dickson, TN
Started working with children in: 1999
Favorite thing about my job: A smile on the kid's face, the hugs, and the wonderful people I work with
3 things I love: The color orange, The VOLS, and my family
Favorite quote: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde
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Daugherty, Pam
School Nutrition
Born In: Dickson TN College attended: Years working with children: 23 years Favorite thing about your job: Hearing the funny stories the kids tell me 3 Things you love: My family, crafting, and animals Your favorite Quote: " The best thing is life isn't things"
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Donaldson, Crystal
Second Grade Teacher
Born in: Nashville, TN
College attended: University of Phoenix
Started working with children in: 2016
Favorite thing about my job: Helping create an academic foundation as well as social-emotional friendly learning environment for our students
3 things I love: My children and family, animals and farm life, and being outdoors
Favorite quote: "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." - Percicles
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Easley, Michaela
Preschool Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Welch College
Started teaching in: 2021
Favorite thing about my job: Helping children grow and learn in the way that is appropriate for them
3 things I love: Family, Reading, and Camping
Favorite quote: "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." - J.R.R. Tolkien
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Etheridge, Tracy
Second Grade Teacher
Born in: Waverly, TN Colleges attended: Austin Peay State University, Cumberland University Started teaching in: 1987 Favorite thing about my job: Building relationships with students 3 things I love: Family, my fur babies, and books Favorite quote: "Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." Lady Bird Johnson
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Forster, Kim
Second Grade Teacher
Born in: Atlanta, GA College attended: APSU Started teaching in: 1997 Favorite thing about my job: Seeing student growth throughout the year 3 things I love: family, church, animals
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Gerber, Haley
Fifth Grade Teacher
Born in: Jackson, TN
College attended: Freed-Hardeman University and University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Started teaching in: 2011
Favorite thing about my job: Getting to be a part of students lives and watching them grow academically
3 things I love: Reading, Music, Theater
Favorite quote: "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I have would not a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'. - Erma Bombeck
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Gibson, Sherry
Title Assistant
Born in: Warren, Michigan
College attended: Nashville State Community College
Started working with students in: Jan 2024
Favorite thing about my job: Watching my children in PLB learning and growing
3 things I love: My Children, My Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren and hot coffee!
Favorite quote: If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got. ~Henry Ford
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Glass, Anna
Social Skills Teacher
Born in: Madison, GA
College attended: Western Governors University
Started teaching in: 2019
Favorite thing about my job: Helping students realize their potential and watching them have those lightbulb moments
3 things I love: My kids, our animals, coffee
Favorite quote: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
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Gunn, Shea
ELL Teacher
Born in: Houston, TX College attended: Austin Peay State University and University of Tennessee at Martin Started teaching in: 2008 Favorite thing about my job: Seeing the "lightbulb" moment when children understand a difficult concept. 3 things I love: My family, cupcakes, and spa treatments Favorite quote: "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future" Proverbs 31:35
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Hagewood, Tina
TLC Assistant
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Haley, Meg
Tutor
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started working with students in: 2024
Favorite thing about my job: Watching students have their “lightbulb” moment
3 things I love: Sweet tea, Bowling, Sunny days
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Hall, Andrea
Special Education Assistant
Born in: Bedford, Ohio
Started working with students in: 2024
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing the kids learning
3 things I love: Reading, baking, and crafts
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Harris, Anna
Assistant Principal
Born in: Dickson, TN
Colleges attended: Austin Peay State University and Tennessee State University
Started teaching in: 1999
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing students learning and growing
3 things I love: my girls, the beach, being outside
Favorite quote: "Hope anchors the soul." Hebrews 6:19
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Hartsfield, Anita
Instructional Coach
Born in: Goldsberg, Missouri
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 1994
Favorite thing about my job: Collaborating with teachers
3 things I love: Family, Grandkids, Eating at different restaurants
Favorite quote: Remember the Past, Enjoy the Present, Embrace the Future
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Haviland, Hailey
Kindergarten Teacher
Born in: Fort. Benning, GA
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 2024
Favorite thing about my job: Watching my students grow and learn
3 things I love: Family, Friends, Shoes
Favorite quote: “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” -Dr. Seuss
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Henley, Mellissa
Bookkeeper
Born in: Nashville, TN
Started working with children in: 2006
Favorite thing about my job: Working with children and seeing them make gains
3 things I love: Grandchildren, Family and BASEBALL!
Favorite quote: Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about, BE KIND, ALWAYS!
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Herring, Julie
Fourth Grade Teacher
Born in: Nashville, TN
College attended: Middle Tennessee State University
Started teaching in: 2010
Favorite thing about my job: Helping students see their potential
3 things I love: My family, my job/ my students, sports
Favorite quote: "The future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt
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Hill, Melissa
Pre-K Assistant
Born in: Las Vegas, Nevada College attended: Holmes Community College , Goodman Mississippi Started assistant teaching/subbing/and working with children in 2009 in Mississippi ; started working with children 2019 In Tennessee and working at Oakmont in 2020 Favorite thing about my job: Inspiring my students to do their very best everyday with love and kindness 3 things I love; Spending time with my family and friends, reading my Bible, and listening to Worship Music Favorite quote:Proverbs 31:25
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Hodge, Misty
Principal
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: APSU and TSU
Started teaching children in: 2001
Favorite thing about my job: Observing great lessons and discussing success with staff
3 things I love: God, friends/family, sports, country music, & desserts
Favorite quote: “Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves.”
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Hodges, April
Fourth Grade Teacher
Born in: Waverly, TN
Colleges attended: University of Tennessee at Martin and Walden University
Started teaching in: 1996
Favorite thing about my job: Making a difference in my students' lives every day.
3 things I love: My family, a good book at the beach, Diet Mountain Dew
Favorite quote: "Try to be a Rainbow in Someone's Cloud." - Maya Angelou
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Holland, Ashley
Art Teacher
Born in: Dickson, Tn College attended: Austin Peay State University Started: 2023 Favorite thing about my job: creating art with the students 3 things I love: Spending time with my family and friends, Art, Outdoor activities (fishing and kayaking)
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Holland, Stephanie
Behavior Interventionist
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Austin Peay and Arkansas State
Started teaching in: 2009
Favorite thing about my job: The kids
5 things I love: My cows, farm, horse, dogs, and family
Favorite quote: ‘Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.’ - Unknown
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Hughes, Jane
Pre-K Teacher
Born in: Waverly, Tennessee
College attended: University of Phoenix and University of Tennessee Martin
Started Teaching in: 2014
Favorite thing about my job: Interactions with children
3 things I love: spending time with my grandsons, yard work, and reading
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Hunter, Tara
Pre-K Teacher
Born in: Colorado Springs, CO
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started working with students in: 2020
Favorite thing about my job: Making the first experience in school a positive experience
3 things I love: Chocolate, Sports, Owls
Favorite quote: "With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
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Keele, Mae
Custodian
Born In: Pontiac MI College attended: Years working with kids: 15 years Favorite thing about your job: The people I work with 3 Things you love: Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper and my grandkids Your favorite quote: "Enjoy life"
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Kelley, Angie
Special Education Teacher
Born in: Tuscumbia, AL Colleges attended: Nashville State University, (WGU) Western Governors University Started teaching in: 2010 Favorite thing about my job: Having fun with my students and seeing the lightbulb go off! 3 things I love: Jesus, My family, my pets Favorite quote: "As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart" Proverbs 27:19
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Kidd, Jodi
Kindergarten Teacher
Born in: Oak Park, Illinois
College attended: University of Tennessee at Martin
Started teaching in: 2006
Favorite thing about my job: Building relationships with my students
3 things I love: Reading, sitting on my back porch, my family
Favorite quote: "Anyone who can only think of one way to spell a word obviously lacks imagination." - Mark Twain
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Lee, Nicole
Fifth Grade Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 2012
Favorite thing about my job: Teaching the kids; watching them learn and grow
3 things I love: Reading, family, watching TV
Favorite quote: Jeremiah 29:11
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Lee Hanes, Elizabeth
First Grade Teacher
Born in: Nashville, TN
College attended: Austin Peay State University & Freed-Hardeman University
Started teaching in: 2017
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing students learn to never give up
3 things I love: Being creative, joking with my class, spending time with family
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Littleton, Ashley
Gym Teacher
Born in: Centerville, TN Colleges attended: Columbia State Community College and Austin Peay State University Started teaching in: 2008 Favorite thing about my job: I love building relationships in the classroom, seeing the excitement of learning a new skill, and making memories that will last a lifetime. 3 things I love: Family, farming, and being outdoors Favorite quote: “I like the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the taste of freedom, the sound of thunder, the sight of fireflies in late spring and the feeling of being fully alive.” Brooke Hampton
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Lopez, Megan
Special Education Assistant
Born in: Shreveport, Louisiana
Started working with students in: 2022
Favorite thing about my job: Working with the kids and seeing all their potential
3 things I love: Jesus, my family, and singing
Favorite quote: “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” -??Exodus? ?14?:?14?
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Lowy, Susanna
First Grade Teacher
Born in: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
College attended: University of Tennessee
Started teaching in: 2020
Favorite thing about my job: Watching students become independent!
3 things I love: My family, reading, being outdoors
Favorite quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
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Mallard, Kristen
First Grade Teacher
Born in: Huntingdon, TN Colleges attended: University of Memphis Started teaching in: 2023 Favorite thing about my job: Helping kids explore new things and step outside their box. 3 things I love: Reading, Crafting, Being Outdoors Favorite quote: "It isn't what we say or think that defines us. Its what we do" - Jane Austen
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Mangrum, Sarah
Tier 1 Parapro
Born in: Dickson, TN College attended: Nashville State Community College and Austin Peay State University Started working with children in: 2022 Favorite thing about my job: The days are always filled with adventure. 3 things I love: My family, my job, and George Strait Favorite quote: " If it doesn't challenge you, It won't change you."- Fred Devito
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Mansfield, Twylita
Special Education Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN
Colleges attended: Nashville State Community College, University of Maine at Presque Isle, Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 2019
Favorite thing about my job: Helping students succeed
3 things I love: Jesus, my family, the outdoors
Favorite quote: "Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent. You will be amazed at how your whole approach to a person or problem becomes very different."
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Martinez, Debbie
Title One Assistant
Born in: Americus, GA
Started working with children in: 2005
Favorite thing about my job: Helping children learn and be loved
3 things I love: God, Family and Life
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Martinez, Henrietta
Cafeteria Monitor
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McElrath, Jacqueline
Speech Teacher
Born in: Camden, TN College attended: TSU Started teaching in: 1984 Favorite thing about my job: Working with my students to improve their communication skills 3 things I love: Music, food and travelling
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McElrath-Russell, Melissa
Kindergarten Teacher
Born in: Maury, TN
College attended: Columbia State, MTSU, TN Wesleyan
Started teaching in: 2012
Favorite thing about my job: Teaching children new things and watching the light bulb go off when they learn something new
3 things I love: Spending time with my family, outdoors/hunting, being crafty
Favorite quote: Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.....It's learning to dance in the rain.
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Murphy, Mary
Library Assistant
Started working with students in: 2024
Favorite thing about my job: The students
3 things I love: My Family, my job, and my dogs
Favorite quote: "Live for today because tomorrow is not promised."
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Nason, Sarah
Third Grade Teacher
Born in: Santa Ana, CA
Colleges attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 2021
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing the shining faces of my students everyday
3 things I love: Documentaries, Singing, My family and dog
Favorite quote: "A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary." - Thomas Carruthers
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Patterson, Jamie
SRO
Born in: College attended: Law Enforcement Academy Starting working with students in: 2019 Favorite thing about my job: The DARE program 3 things I love: these students, my family
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Pendergrass, Erica
Pre-K Assistant
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Nashville State Community College; East Central University
Started working with children in: 2010
Favorite thing about my job: Working with kids and teaching them
3 things I love: Coffee, reading a good book, and traveling
Favorite Quote: "Don't quit 5 minutes before the Miracle." - Anonymous
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Price, Justin
Title One Assistant
Born in: Pikeville, KY
Started working with students in: 2024
Favorite thing about my job: Helping teachers and students
3 things I love: Coffee, reading, facts
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Proffitt, Lori
Third Grade Teacher
Born in: Glendale, CA
College attended: Austin Peay State University, Nashville State Community College
Started teaching in: 2024
Favorite thing about my job: Getting to know and learning from my students
3 things I love: Diet Coke, sunflowers, and reading
Favorite quote (optional): "Do all the good you can; by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." -John Wesley
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Qualls, Katelyn
Kindergarten Teacher
Born in: Franklin, TN Colleges attended: Middle Tennessee State University Started teaching in: 2022 Favorite thing about my job: Seeing the growth that my students have. Not just in my class, but with each passing year when seeing them in the halls. 3 things I love: Cherry Coke, Soft Rock, My Husband Favorite quote: "Education is the movement of darkness to light.” - Allan Bloom
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Raynor, Beth
School Counselor
Born in: Macon, Georgia
College attended: Mississippi College, University of North Alabama
Started teaching in: 2019
Favorite thing about my job: Getting to build relationships with the students and staff
3 things I love: My dog, Reading, Dr. Pepper
Favorite quote: "People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be." - Carl Rogers
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Rocker, Kimberly
Pre-K Assistant
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Anthem Career College
Started working with students in: 2021
Favorite thing about my job: Helping children learn and grow
3 things I love: Coffee, true crime, reading
Favorite quote: "Life is a one time offer. Use it well."
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Roe, Karen
Tier One Parapro
Born: Dickson TN College attended: MTSU, APSU Started working with children: 2002 Favorite thing about my job: the smiles of the students and my teacher friends 3 things I love: Jesus, Iced Coffee, Family &Sports Favorite quote: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength- Phil 4:3
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Rye, Jerry
PE Teacher
Born in: Erin, TN
College attended: Austin Peay State University, Nova Southeastern University
Started teaching in: 1999
Favorite thing about my job: Providing healthy activities to get students moving
3 things I love: Fishing, Music, Movies
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Shelton, Jessica
School Support Specialist
Born in: Hermitage, TN Colleges attended: Kennesaw State University, University of Tennessee Started working with children here in: 2021 (2023 officially with the district) Favorite thing about my job: Building relationships with students. 3 things I love: Traveling, Singing, Crafts Favorite quote: "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." -Mother Teresa
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Shelton, Teresa
Cafeteria Monitor
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Shockley, Ashlee
Third Grade Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 2024
Favorite thing about my job: Creating an environment where students can and want to thrive
3 things I love: Exercising, coffee, family/friends
Favorite quote: It’s okay to not know, but it’s not okay to not try.
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Smiley, Beth
Librarian
Born in: Waverly, TN
College attended: MTSU
Started teaching in: 1998
Favorite thing about my job: Helping kids learn that reading is FUN!
3 things I love: Reading, traveling, and cooking
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Smith, Charae
Special Education Teacher
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Tidwell, Jackson
Tier 1 Parapro
Born in: Dickson, TN
College(s) attended: NSSCC; Austin Peay State University
Started working with students in: 2023
Favorite thing about my job: Teaching students the essential skills for their future!
3 things I love: Traveling, Shopping, SHOES
Favorite quote: "Never Stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it!" - Hillary Clinton
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Tidwell, Joey
Special Education Assistant
Born in: Dickson,TN
Started working with students in: 2020
3 things I love: Spending time with my 3 children, Traveling & Photography
Favorite quote: "She remembered who she was and the game changed."
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Tinsley, Melissa
Cafeteria Manager
Born in: College attended: APSU, American Inst of Banking Years working with children: 20 plus
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing the kids
3 things I love: chocolate, fall and my new grandbaby
Favorite quote: "Always go the extra mile."
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Warren, Serena
Third Grade ELA Teacher
Born in: Waverly, TN
College attended: University of North Alabama and UT Martin
Started teaching in: 2003
Favorite thing about my job: Watching the kids learn and having fun teaching them
3 things I love: video games, crafting, and loaded teas
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Welch, Brooke
Fourth Grade Teacher
Born in: Nashville, Tennessee
College attended: University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Austin Peay University
Started teaching in: 2006
Favorite thing about my job: Working with kids
3 things I love: reading, traveling, and gardening
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Wilson, Brett
Special Education Teacher
Born in: Columbia, TN
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 2018
Favorite thing about my job: Working with the students and helping them to be successful
3 things I love: Family, Basketball, Football
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York, Samantha
Second Grade Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Welch College
Started teaching in: 2006
Favorite thing about my job: Helping children grow to be their best
3 things I love: family, crafting, reading
Favorite quote: "Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt
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