DeKalb Teachers of the Year Named

January 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has announced the 2019-2020 Teachers of the Year at the building level of the five schools in the county.

This year’s honorees are second grade teacher Tiffany Cowart at Smithville Elementary School; fourth grade teacher Debra Poteete at Northside Elementary School; Tonya Ellis, a kindergarten teacher at DeKalb West School; Teresa Jones, a seventh grade math and science teacher at DeKalb Middle School; and Rebecca Miller, a Family and Consumer Science teacher at DeKalb County High School.

“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.

According to Michelle Burklow, Supervisor of Instruction, “Competition for the district-wide John Isabell Teacher of the Year award continues through February, and will be announced at DeKalb County’s Teacher of the Year Banquet in the spring. Additionally, three DeKalb County teachers will be chosen by a committee to compete at the regional level in March, and if selected they will represent DeKalb County at the state level competition.”

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.”

January 28, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County Schools will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Monday after school officials say there is widespread sickness and concern over spread of the illness which includes the flu, strep throat, and stomach viruses.

“Absenteeism has recently grown each day throughout the school system and reached 12% on Tuesday and its not only students but several teachers have been out sick,” said Joey Reeder, Attendance Supervisor for the DeKalb School System.

Percentages of attendance at each school in the county Tuesday were as follows: DCHS 88.59%, DeKalb Middle School 86.85%, Northside Elementary School 91.10%, Smithville Elementary School 90.92%, DeKalb West School 84.34%, and District-wide 88.1%.

“Before making the decision to close schools we talked to various health care professionals to get their opinions and they said the spread of the illness had not yet peaked and probably would take at least up to five days for it to run its course,” Reeder added.

The school calendar includes thirteen days that can be used for inclement weather or sickness without any makeup days. After Monday, eight days will be left to use this school year.

January 28, 2020
By:

The board of the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival has appointed Alex Woodward as stage co-host for the 49th Annual event to be held July 3-4, 2020. Woodward accepted the appointment to honor the memory of his late father, and longtime host of the Jamboree, Tim Woodward.

“The sudden loss of our friend and colleague left such a hole in our hearts, along with the Jamboree that he loved and supported,” said Sam Stout, President and Coordinator of the Jamboree, “Tim Woodward was a vibrant and talented host that kept us smiling, both on and off stage. Although there is no one that could truly replace Tim, it was our feeling that Alex was absolutely our first choice to not only host, but to honor his dad’s legacy.”

When asked about his thoughts on the Jamboree’s decision to appoint him, Alex Woodward responded with humility, “I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity to help co-host the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree & Crafts Festival. We moved to Smithville, TN in 1994, and we lived one block off the square. At Jamboree time, we would go downtown to the festival and have fun. Later, if we got tired, we would go home and listen from the front porch. It has always been a joy of mine to listen and admire the talents of the many contestants as they travel to Smithville from all over the United States for this one special weekend,” smiles Woodward. “I remember hearing Dad say that ‘it was not about him, but about those performing’. It is also my desire to keep it about those competing. I look forward to co-hosting for 2020, and to welcome contestants and visitors to this year’s Jamboree. Our family is very appreciative of the comments, visits, thoughts, and prayers from the Jamboree family after the passing of our father. He truly enjoyed co-hosting, the Jamboree festivities, and what the Fiddlers Jamboree has always meant to Smithville and DeKalb County.”

The Jamboree Board wants to encourage the community to support Alex Woodward, along with the many volunteers across DeKalb County that work all year long to keep this 49 year old tradition alive for future generations. If you would like information on how to join the Jamboree Volunteers, or Junior Volunteers Team (15 & up); please email smithvillejamboree@gmail.com.

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