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Starting school is a big milestone—for children and for parents.​  This event is a special opportunity to meet our teachers, tour ​the building, learn about daily routines, and discover the many opportunities awaiting your family in our schools.  New students at other elementary grade levels are also welcome to attend, as this is a great way to be introduced to your school. 

In ​Bradley County Schools, we believe strong schools are built on strong partnerships. ​The K Rocks and Pre-K Pops event is all about helping your child feel confident, connected, and ready for a great year.​  You will also be able to begin the registration process and ask any questions you might have related to enrollment paperwork. 

We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome you into our school community on March 5th.​  We look forward to seeing you at Kindergarten Rocks and Pre-K Pops—where great beginnings lead to bright futures!
 

Bradley County Schools had the opportunity to present six sessions at the TCEA Convention and Exposition held in San Antonio, Texas. Valuable knowledge was brought back to help faculty equip themselves with growing technology to help our students grow. The following are accounts from the participants as to their personal experiences at the conference.

Administrators Jeremy Jones at Walker Valley High School and Allison Bynum at Charleston Elementary STEAM Academy attended the TCEA Conference and relayed these reflections: 

 “As an administrator, I found the TCEA conference a valuable opportunity to take a pulse check on the direction of educational technology. It gave me a bird’s-eye view of emerging trends and practical applications, allowing me to return to my building with ideas for how we can continue using technology to support academic learning while empowering key leaders to expand on those initiatives” - Jeremy Jones.

 “The TCEA Conference is an investment in both leadership growth and district innovation. Attending sessions on cybersecurity, AI in education, and digital transformation allows administrators to make informed, strategic decisions that align with district goals. Beyond the sessions, the networking opportunities foster collaborations that often extend well beyond the conference, strengthening our capacity to support teachers and enhance student learning” - Allison Bynum.

Pam Coleman, Innovation Specialist for Bradley County Schools, presented Unlocking the Power of Google Sites: Building a Private Department Intranet.  Coleman states, “During her session, she demonstrated how Google Sites can be used to create secure, department-specific intranets that streamline communication, centralize resources, and protect sensitive content through strategic sharing settings. Department intranets are especially valuable for teams such as counseling, administration, and other support departments seeking to simplify internal workflows and improve access to essential information. Coleman continues to offer support to any department in the district interested in building a private, secure website tailored to their internal needs.”  

Coleman and Innovation Specialist Jason Viviano presented Creating a Districtwide STEM Hub Lending Library and Learning Center. Coleman indicates, “Session attendees learned how Bradley County Schools created a sustainable STEM Hub Lending Library and Technology Learning Center to support STEM/STEAM Designated Schools and STEM education. They discovered how cross-department collaboration, community partnerships, and repurposed CTE equipment have powered access to high-quality STEM learning tools across the district, all while reducing costs and increasing student impact.”

Innovation Specialist Josh Morris had the opportunity to present two sessions at the TCEA. His sessions were:

Accommodate. Differentiate. Engage. All with Wayground, where he addresses “how we use Wayground to automate accessibility, allowing teachers to meet the needs of students with IEPs, 504s, and language barriers more efficiently,”

Podcasting: Give Students a Voice, a Process, Not a Product, where he “facilitated a session on using podcasting as a tool for critical thinking and communication, focusing on the learning process rather than just the final assignment.” Morris states with evident enthusiasm,” This experience allows me to bring back innovative ideas regarding instruction, technology, and new processes that I am excited to implement. I look forward to using these insights to continue supporting our staff and growing the learning experience for all Bradley County students.”
 
Principal Allison Bynum and Media Specialist Denise George (Charleston Elementary STEM Academy) presented on Community Partnerships~ Find Them~ Grow Them~ Keep Them. They express how this presentation was close to their hearts and how “Community partnerships can completely change not only what happens inside your school, but also how your community perceives your school. This is true even if community members don’t have children in your school. This session will share ideas on how to find and reach out to partners, grow those relationships, and engage them to the point that they are planning and teaching lessons beside your classroom teachers.”

Librarian Kelly Earhart and Betsy Clem from Bradley Central High School presented on Reimagining the High School Library. They addressed how “High school library media centers are uniquely positioned to support modern teaching and learning practices. This session offers strategies and specific examples on how we are transforming a traditional library media center program into a responsive learning hub to support reading, research, STEM, and student enterprise in a comprehensive public high school.”

The impact of TCEA will extend far beyond the conference, influencing instruction, leadership, and student opportunities throughout our district.

Sarah Dodson was a hairstylist for 16 years, frequently volunteering at children’s schools before becoming involved in PTO, eventually serving as president, deepening her connection to education. “Throughout this period, several teachers encouraged me to consider a career in education. At age 30, I enrolled at Cleveland State Community College and officially began my journey. I attended school full-time, continued doing hair on weekends, and remained actively involved in my children’s school. My children’s teachers—who were strong role models for me—consistently offered encouragement and guidance, helping me navigate this new path,” states Mrs. Dodson. 

Mrs. Dodson began her journey believing she would become a kindergarten assistant teacher, but soon realized her calling and changed to a four-year bachelor’s program, and later earned her master’s degree and Education Specialist degree in special education. Mrs. Dodson shares, “Each student I serve is unique and extraordinary. As a special education teacher, I work with students over a three-year period, which allows for deep relationships and meaningful growth. They are more than names on a roster—they become like my own children. Holding them to high expectations also pushes me to hold myself to high standards.” 

Mrs. Dodson shares uplifting advice and guidance to new and upcoming teachers: “Be true to yourself and your purpose. Surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you rather than those who discourage you. If teaching is important to you, do not be afraid to invest the time and effort required, even when others may not understand. Our students deserve our best, and their success is worth every ounce of dedication we give.”

Principal Stevenson applauds Mrs. Dodson by saying, “Sarah Dodson is truly a blessing to our Lake Forest Staff. Her excitement and kindness are contagious. Mrs. Dodson inspires, challenges, and encourages her students and everyone she comes into contact with. Her creativity is unmatched, designing and implementing engaging programs for students like Bruin Coffee, gardening,g and many other unique learning opportunities. Mrs. Dodson embodies and exemplifies the Lake Forest Bruin spirit. The entire Lake Forest staff is thrilled for Mrs. Dodson to receive this well-deserved honor!” 

Congratulations, Mrs. Dodson, on your outstanding achievement in becoming a District-level teacher for Lake Forrest Middle School!

Mrs. Marie Johnson was inspired by her fourth-grade teacher, who never gave up on her, helped build her confidence, and impacted her in a meaningful way (Mrs. Johnson).  When asked what she loves most about teaching, Mrs. Johnson shared, “I love witnessing those 'aha' moments when learning finally clicks, especially in reading.” Mrs. Johnson reflected that the most rewarding part of her job is “watching students grow, not just academically, but also socially and emotionally, and seeing them realize they can do hard things.” 

Mrs. Johnson encourages new and aspiring teachers with these words of advice: “You are not alone, lean on your team and ask questions often. Teaching is better and easier when you work together and learn from one another. Give grace to your students and yourself. Kindness and patience go a long way and are often remembered long after the lesson. On hard days, remember why you became a teacher. Those moments of impact often show up quietly, but they matter more than you realize.”

Principal Lori Riad spoke highly of Mrs. Johnson, noting, “Mrs. Marie Johnson is the kind of teacher every school hopes for. She creates a fun, engaging classroom where students feel valued, challenged, and supported every single day. She is a true champion for all learners, consistently giving her own time to ensure students grow academically and confidently. Mrs. Johnson also builds strong, trusting relationships with families, keeping them informed and actively involved in their child’s learning journey. Beyond her classroom, she is a leader in our school, generously mentoring colleagues and setting the standard for what excellent teaching looks like. Our school is better because of her.”

Congratulations, Mrs. Marie Johnson for your outstanding achievement in becoming a District- level teacher at North Lee Elementary

As the passionate teacher she is, Mrs. Lindeman offers words of wisdom for student excellence to new and aspiring teachers, sharing, “Never verbalize a consequence that you cannot 100% guarantee follow through. At the same time, hold those kiddos accountable to a high standard. They want to be challenged and engaged, and they crave consistent and clear expectations.” She shares a personal means of teacher success by encouraging teachers to “  Keep every note and write everything down. 9 times out of 10, you will have a wonderful, fulfilling, and successful day. But on that 10th day, it is so important to have reminders of the amazing (and hilarious) students you have met along the way. To mirror that, write the students' notes and encouragements. Even at 15/16 years old, a sticker and/or small, personalized note noticing their achievements goes a long way.” 

Mrs. Lindeman shows her passion for her students by helping guide them with major life changes like getting their driver's license, finding a job, and supporting personal growth (Mrs. Lindeman). This is evident in her personal involvement in co-founding Brittnay’s Kids. Principal Jeremy Jones radiates pride, saying, “ Now in its fourth year, the club leads a school-wide initiative that reaches more than 1,400 students and collaborates with schools across the surrounding region, further reflecting Mrs. Lindeman’s commitment to student growth, safety, and community impact.”

Her significant dedication has left a lasting footprint on her students and fellow faculty. Principal Jones commends her sharing, “Mrs. Lindeman’s impact reaches all learners and extends far beyond the campus of Walker Valley. As an exceptional educator, she has demonstrated consistent success in advancing academic growth for students at every level in English Language Arts. Her ability to build meaningful relationships and create a safe, welcoming environment is especially powerful for students who may initially feel hesitant or resistant toward ELA. Through strong collaboration with her department and the sharing of her classroom expertise, Mrs. Lindeman has helped propel Walker Valley’s ELA program to new levels of achievement, including improved performance on standardized assessments.”

Congratulations, Mrs. Leesa Lindeman, on your outstanding achievement in becoming a District- level teacher at Walker Valley High School!