Familiar Figures in School System Named to Fill Principal and Assistant Principal Vacancies

July 12, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has named two familiar figures in the school district to fill principal vacancies with the start of the 2023-24 school year.

DCHS teacher Anita Puckett is returning to Smithville Elementary School where she will succeed Summer Cantrell who has resigned as Principal while DeKalb Middle School Assistant Principal Angela Johnson is moving to Northside Elementary to become Principal with the departure of Karen Knowles.

Meanwhile, DMS teacher Teresa Jones has been promoted to the position of Assistant Principal at DMS to succeed Johnson while at SES, Karen France, a DCHS educator will take over as Assistant Principal from Amanda Dakas, who has stepped down.

Puckett is a veteran educator with classroom teaching and administration experience. Over the years, Puckett has worked at SES, DeKalb Middle School and at DCHS.

She began her career with the school district in 1997 as an English/History/Literature teacher for 7th and 8th graders. Three years later she began teaching 8th grade History/Literature/Science. In 2015 Puckett was named Assistant Principal at Smithville Elementary School and became interim principal there in 2018 with the departure of Principal Julie Vincent. From 2019 to 2021, Puckett served as Assistant Principal at DeKalb Middle School and moved to DCHS in 2022 to serve as an ESL (English as a Second Language) Teacher

Puckett is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University. In 1997 she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies-Several Subjects (1-8 grades) and a Master’s Degree in Instructional leadership in 1999. Puckett earned her Specialist in Education in 2017 in Curriculum and Instruction (Reading Emphasis).

Puckett said she is excited to have this new opportunity to lead Smithville Elementary School.

“In 2015, I was selected as the Assistant Principal at Smithville elementary school. I truly had some of my best days in education at SES. I enjoyed the relationships I created with the students, parents and the faculty,” said Puckett.

“The energy these vibrant, little minds bring each and every day to school resonates into the hallways and throughout the classrooms. Students are so eager to learn. I am eager to lead them. Smithville Elementary may be the oldest school building in the district, but the people that fill these hallways bring it NEW life each and every day. This is a dream come true for me to be recognized as Principal of Smithville Elementary,” added Puckett.

In 2014 Puckett was named Teacher of the Year at DMS and at the district level.

Only a year ago, Angela Johnson was named Assistant Principal at DeKalb Middle School after spending six years in the classroom including the first 3 as a science teacher and the last 3 years as a Response to Intervention (RTI) instructor supporting students in their reading abilities and as an English Language Arts (ELA) coordinator. Before joining the staff at DMS Johnson served six years as a second-grade teacher at Smithville Elementary School and prior to that she was an educational assistant in the school district for 4 ½ years.

Johnson began serving the school district several years ago as a substitute bus assistant.

“I guess you could say teaching is my second career,” said Johnson. “When I first started, my kids went to kindergarten, and I was a substitute assistant on the bus. I later moved from that to becoming an assistant and I worked in that role for four years and during that time I went and got my associate degree in teaching. I quit working in the school system and subbed for two years while finishing up my bachelor’s degree at Tennessee Tech. Once I finished that I came back to Smithville Elementary and worked in second grade. I taught there. I then left second grade at Smithville Elementary and went to the middle school and taught sixth grade science. I later moved from sixth grade science to RTI at the middle school and then I became the Assistant Principal last year at the middle school and now I am moving onto Northside, so I have touched all aspects of the school system and have enjoyed each one of them. I had a great year at DMS last year working with Principal Caleb Shehane but I am excited now to move on as principal at Northside. I love kids so wherever God puts me where I can do the most good for kids is where I want to be. I believe God puts you in places for a season and He puts you where you need to be in that season of your life and I feel that moving to Northside and being the principal is the season that I am supposed to be at this point in my life, “said Johnson.

Angela earned her associate degree from Motlow State Community College, a bachelor’s degree at Tennessee Tech, and a master’s degree at TSU.

After serving 20 years as a seventh-grade science teacher at DeKalb Middle School, Teresa Jones is thrilled about this next chapter in her life.

“I am super excited to further carry on the great work that Mr. Shehane and Mrs. Johnson have done and accomplished at DMS,” said Jones. “I started teaching in 2002. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Tech. I decided during the pandemic in 2020 to get my master’s degree in Instructional Leadership. I have just finished my 20th year as teacher. I’ll start my 21st year as Assistant Principal at DMS. I have a great rapport with Mr. Shehane and the faculty and staff at DMS and I am happy to carry on that excitement and to further develop these kids,” said Jones.

Teresa was chosen as Teacher of the Year for DMS and at the district level in 2020.

Karen France is also moving to administration after serving many years as a classroom teacher.

“I am excited, and I feel very honored to get this opportunity to go to Smithville Elementary,” said France. “I taught at the middle school for nine years and at DeKalb West School for eight years and then this last past I was a high school math teacher for one year. The entire time of my career except this past year I taught eighth grade math and science. I look forward now to meeting the students and teachers at SES and to build a relationship with the parents,” said France.

Karen earned her associate degree from Motlow State Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies (K-8) at Tennessee Tech. She also has a master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction and an Ed.S degree in Administration Leadership.

France was Teacher of the Year for DMS in 2012.

July 11, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

An 18-year-old man is facing an aggravated assault charge after allegedly threatening another man with a gun during a domestic incident.

Brayden Kelley Ferrell of Short Mountain Highway, Smithville is under a $2,500 bond. Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on July 3 a deputy was summoned to Tabernacle Road to meet with an individual concerning an assault which had occurred at a location on Short Mountain Highway. Upon arrival the officer spoke with a man and a woman (alleged victims) who reported they had gone to a residence on Short Mountain Highway looking for their daughter. When they pulled into the driveway, the couple said their daughter’s ex-boyfriend, Ferrell came outside the residence. After the couple got out of their vehicle to talk with him, Ferrell’s father also came outside, and an altercation ensued between him and the male victim. Brayden then allegedly pulled a gun and put it to the male victim’s head causing him to fear serious bodily injury.

52-year-old Vickie Lenae Alvis of Luttrell Avenue, Smithville is charged with resisting arrest. Her bond is $4,000 and she will be in court July 13.

Sheriff Ray said that on June 25 a deputy went to a residence on High Street in Alexandria to serve a warrant on Alvis. When Alvis spotted the officer, she ran through the home and locked herself in a bathroom even though the deputy warned her to stop. As the deputy tried to enter the bathroom, Alvis crawled out the bathroom window. She was later placed under arrest.

18-year-old Pablo Cruz Hernandez of McMinnville is charged with criminal impersonation and underage driving while impaired. His bond totals $4,000 and he will be in court July 20. Sheriff Ray said that on July 3 a deputy was patrolling Bethel Road when he spotted a Beige Ford Freestyle vehicle leave its lane of travel. The officer pulled over the automobile and spoke with the driver, Hernandez who had a strong odor of alcohol on him. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was unsteady on his feet. Several open containers of alcohol were in the vehicle. Hernandez submitted to field sobriety tasks but performed poorly. He admitted to having consumed four beers earlier that night. When speaking with the officer, Hernandez said his date of birth was November 21, 2002. He was taken into custody for DUI and transported to the sheriff’s department for booking. Upon arrival, Hernandez told the officers that his birth date was November 21, 2000 but later admitted to having lied to make the deputies think he was of age. His real date of birth is November 9, 2004.

54-year-old Burnette “Bernie” Jones of Andrew Street, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. He is under a $2,500 bond and his court date is July 20. Sheriff Ray said that on July 4 a deputy was on patrol when he spotted Jones asleep on the ground in the middle of the Taco Bell parking lot. After stopping to awake him, the officer reported that Jones became irate and seemed to be talking out of his head. Jones then began pacing around the parking lot and seemed to be under the influence of narcotics. For the safety of himself and the public, Jones was placed under arrest for public intoxication.

43-year-old Rocky Amon Scarlett of Cookeville is charged with domestic assault. He is under a $2,500 bond and will be in court on July 13. Sheriff Ray said that on May 30 a deputy was summoned to a location on Poplar Street, Smithville due to a domestic assault complaint. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a woman who said her boyfriend, Scarlett, hit her in the head which left red marks on the left side of her head and forehead. She also had a scratch on the right side of her chin and on her left hand. Scarlett had left the scene before officers arrived. He was arrested later.

46-year-old Terry Lee Wildes of Scott Acres Road, Smithville, was arrested on July 9 for being a fugitive from justice. Sheriff Ray said that on this day a deputy spotted a vehicle on Allen Ferry Road failing to maintain its lane of travel. After stopping the automobile, the deputy spoke with a passenger, Wildes, and after a background check through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) officers learned Wildes had a warrant against him out of Louisa County, Virginia. Authorities there reported they would seek extradition of Wildes for a third offense of a felony assault on a family member and two counts of fleeing from a law enforcement officer.

July 10, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

18-year-old Kenlee Renae Taylor is the 2023 DeKalb County Fairest of the Fair.

(View WJLE DeKalb County Fair Photo Gallery at link below)

https://www.wjle.com/dekalb-county-fair/

Taylor, daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville won the crown Monday evening during the annual pageant held on opening night of the DeKalb County Fair in Alexandria. There were six contestants. Taylor was also named Most Photogenic.

Kenlee succeeds the retiring Fairest of the Fair, Addison Jean Puckett, the 19-year-old daughter of Jimmy and Anita Puckett of Smithville.

First runner-up in the Fairest of the Fair event was Allyson Roxanne Fuller, the 17-year-old daughter of Anthony and Amanda Fuller of Smithville.

Second runner-up was Alexis Grace Atnip, 20-year-old daughter of Veronica and Gary Johnson of Smithville.

The title of Miss Congeniality went to18 year old Elizabeth Carlene Gaines, daughter of Beverly Anderson of Smithville.

Other contestants were 19-year-old Mackenzie Leigh Sprague, daughter of Wanda Sprague and Wendell Bradford of Smithville and 18-year-old Caitlin Elisabeth Washer, daughter of Charlise Washer and John and Karey Washer of Smithville.

Meanwhile 39-year-old Amanda Joy Ford of Smithville was crowned the 2023 Miss Fair Queen of the DeKalb County Fair for contestants ages 21-54.

The Tuesday night schedule at the Fair is as follows:

Tuesday, July 11th:
Little Mister (4-6)-Lions Pavilion – 6:00 p.m.
Little Miss (4-6)- Lions Pavilion – following
Mrs. Fair Queen (21 to 54)- Lions Pavilion – following
Miss Senior Fair Queen (55 & up)- Lions Pavilion – following
Corn Hole Tournament- Ag Center – 7:00 p.m.
ATV/Motorcycle Racing- TC McMillen Arena 7:00 p.m.
Body Boutique by Bee-Lions Pavilion– 8:00 pm
Three Parts Grace – Lions Pavilion- 8:30 pm.
Open Poultry Show (All Week)- Barn
Cash Drawing- Lions Pavilion – 9:30 p.m

For more information visit www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/

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