DCHS Teacher Lesa Hayes Named 2023 DeKalb School District Teacher of the Year

March 7, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The 2023 DeKalb County School District Teacher of the Year is Lesa Hayes, a CTE Teaching as a Profession, Human Studies and Business teacher at DeKalb County High School.

Hayes got a surprise visit to her classroom Tuesday for the “John Isabell Memorial Award” presentation by Director of Schools Patrick Cripps, DCHS Principal Bruce Curtis, Assistant Principals Jenny Norris and Thomas Cagle, and Supervisors of Instruction Michelle Burklow and Dr. Kathy Bryant. As part of the honor, Hayes also received a school bell award, a floral arrangement, and a certificate granting her a day off from school with pay.

In addition to the visit to Hayes, Director Cripps and school administrators paid a call on four other teachers at their schools Tuesday to present the school level “Teacher of the Year awards including Special Education Pre-K teacher, Sydney Johnson at Smithville Elementary School; Positive Behavior Interventionist and Lead District Positive Behavior Support Interventionist, Meagan Humbert at Northside Elementary School; Rachel Desimone, 5th grade teacher and Instructional Coach at DeKalb West School; and Sarah Jacobs, an 8th grade ELA teacher at DeKalb Middle School.

This is the 16th annual Teacher of the Year observance.

Hayes, whose duties include teaching as a profession, family studies, and human studies said she is excited to have been named both the DCHS Teacher of the year and the Overall DeKalb County School District Level Teacher of the Year.

“I am very honored and humbled that I have been chosen for this and the fact that I work with so many great teachers. I have grown to love this school as well as the kids here,” said Hayes.

Altogether Hayes has been a teacher for almost three decades. In the local school system, she was at DeKalb West School for about 13 years followed by a stint at DeKalb Middle School for five years before moving to DCHS four years ago. Prior to her years in the DeKalb County School District, Hayes taught in Wilson County for a private company that contracted with the Department of Labor to train adults for re-entry into the workforce. Before becoming a teacher, Hayes worked in banking and then took a job at DeKalb West working in the office. “I had my teaching degree but there was not a position open at that time, so I started working part-time in the office and part time in adult education. When a computer position came open at DeKalb West is when I moved into the classroom,” said Hayes.

“Ms Hayes is a wonderful teacher. She is very dedicated to her students and to the faculty and staff here. She is always willing to help out and do anything she can even with the afterschool program. It’s a pleasure to have her here at DCHS,” said Principal Bruce Curtis.

The other principals were equally as proud of their school-level teachers of the year.

“Ms. Jacobs was chosen as DeKalb Middle Schools’ teacher of the year by her colleagues and peers,” said DMS Principal Caleb Shehane. “She received her bachelor’s degree in communication from Tennessee Tech and her master’s degree in teaching from Cumberland University. She is currently in her 6th year as an ELA teacher. Ms. Jacobs truly puts students first. She provides high-quality instruction while building positive, meaningful relationships with her students. If not in the classroom, you can find Ms. Jacobs on the softball field as head coach of Lady Saints softball. She is a true asset to our DeKalb Middle School family, and we are happy to honor her,” said Shehane.

“Ms. Meagan Humbert came to us in 2019 and has since made a tremendous impact on our school and district,” said Northside Elementary School Principal Karen Knowles. “She brought with her extensive knowledge and experience that has supported our school climate and student success in all aspects of their education. I truly feel blessed to work with Ms. Humbert and was extremely pleased to see that Ms. Humbert was selected at NES by her peers as Teacher of the Year,” said Knowles.

“Congratulations to Mrs. Desimone for being selected Teacher of the Year by her peers for DeKalb West School,” said DWS Principal Sabrina Farler. “It is very much deserved. All her effort and hard work have resulted in this achievement. Her way of teaching and managing her classes and the strategies she applies to teach her students allow the opportunity for students in her classes to academically grow. What an amazingly positive impact you have made on the teaching profession. Well done Mrs. Desimone and congratulations on being named DWS Teacher of the Year,” said Farler.

“Mrs. Sydney Johnson, Smithville Elementary School Teacher of the Year, is a Pre-K teacher in the Special Education Department and has been employed as a teacher in DeKalb County Schools since 2014,” said SES Principal Summer Cantrell. “She is a valued member of the SES faculty who brings positivity and encouragement to the students, families, and colleagues of Smithville Elementary School. Mrs. Sydney’s passion for teaching revolves around meeting the needs of the whole child, while creating an engaging and creative learning environment for all students. As an Early Childhood teacher, her dedication to the teaching profession helps to create lifelong opportunities for individual success for her students,” said Cantrell.

“Our district’s Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding teachers in DeKalb County. We applaud teachers who care about our children, who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of DeKalb students, and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement. We are not just exceptionally proud of our Teachers of the Year, but we are also grateful for all of our educators in DeKalb County,” said Director Cripps.

Teachers of the Year are selected competitively through five cycles: Building, System, Field Service Core Center Region, Grand Division and State; and from three categories (levels of teaching); Grades Pre-K-4, 5-8, 9-12.

Teachers selected at each cycle receive local recognition and awards underwritten by local sources. State recognition/awards include a banquet honoring the nine State Teacher of the Year finalists and certificates of appreciation from the governor. In addition, the State Finalists and the State Teacher of the Year receive cash awards.

Dr. Kathy Bryant, Supervisor of Instruction, concludes, “The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program is designed to promote effective teaching practices by recognizing and rewarding outstanding teachers while encouraging others to join the teaching profession.”

March 7, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

An Alexandria man who broke into and vandalized a residence while attacking the homeowner has been arrested and charged in the case.

30-year-old Samuel Kameron Vanatta of West Main Street, Alexandria is charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, and vandalism. His bond is $35,000 and he will make a court appearance on March 23

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on January 31 Vanatta broke into a residence by kicking open the front door and after making entry he struck the homeowner with a bat several times in the leg and punched him in the head. Vanatta also broke a Motorola phone, a 50-inch television set, and a fan in addition to causing damage to the front door. The total amount of the damages was $1,920.

50-year-old Laura Carol Ratliff of Lascassas is charged with driving under the influence. Her bond is $3,500 and she will be in court March 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on February 28 a deputy responded to a vehicle crash on Highway 70 at Billings Road and upon arrival spoke with Ratliff, one of the drivers involved in the wreck. Ratliff was unsteady on her feet. Her speech was slurred, and her eyes were red and glassy. She admitted having consumed two beers prior to the crash. She submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. Three empty cans of Budweiser beer and an empty bottle of Southern Comfort were found in the back seat.

20-year-old Michael Anthony Vestal of Old Hickory is charged with underage driving while impaired. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court March 16.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 4 a deputy received a call about a reckless driver operating a maroon Ford F150. The officer spotted the vehicle on Nashville Highway in Dowelltown which had gone off the roadway and struck a curb. The deputy then turned around and stopped the vehicle. While speaking with the driver, Vestal the deputy noticed that he smelled of alcohol. Vestal submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks. The officer also learned that this vehicle had previously been involved in an accident in Wilson County.

March 6, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville is in need of lifeguards for the upcoming season at the Municipal Swimming Pool which usually opens on Memorial Day weekend.

Manager Jeania Cawthorn is asking anyone who is interested and qualified to apply as soon as possible. The pay is $10.00 an hour with flexible hours.

Currently only five lifeguards have applied to work this year. At least 10 more are needed and all must be certified.

Anyone who is interested and qualified to apply should do so as soon as possible. If you are interested but not certified, classes are coming up, but you must act quickly. Contact Cawthorn at 615-597-6648 for more information.

Requirements include the following but are not limited to:
*Must pass American Red Cross Lifeguard Course and CPR Class
*Must be 15 years of age by the date of the class
*Must be a strong swimmer
*Must be able to pass drug test and background check

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