Dr. Greene sings “I Can Fly” as HHS Show Choir members, teachers and administrators join him on stage for the State of the School Celebration finale. Photo courtesy of Haywood County Schools. 

State of the Schools Celebration a success
By Sonia Outlaw-Clark

Business owners, community leaders and 500 Haywood County school employees gathered Wednesday, August 5, in the Haywood High School gymnasium to celebrate the beginning of a new school year. Superintendent of Schools Marlon King presented the Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) report for each school and announced the system is in “Good Standing” with the Tennessee Department of Education.

Staff members, school board members and community leaders were introduced during opening remarks. Special recognition was given to new teachers and those who have chosen to return to the school system. Of the total 39 teachers hired this year, 18 have either completed college and come back home to teach or have been teaching in other systems and are returning to this school system.

Guest speaker Dr. Montrell Greene, founder of Empowerment 360, gave a motivational presentation with the message: “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.”

The excitement was contagious as Greene, with the assistance of seven HHS Show Choir members, presented dramas depicting the impact teachers can have on their students. Through song and interaction with the teachers, Greene kept his audience engaged and spent time thanking and recognizing teachers for their dedication.

Teachers were also treated to a business fair and many received door prizes donated by the participating merchants and service professionals.

After the celebration, the teachers enjoyed lunch together in the HHS cafeteria before returning to their respective schools and continuing preparations for student’s first day of school on Monday, August 10.

Third grader Sam Banks made the opening remarks at the State of the Schools Celebration Wednesday, August 5, at Haywood High School. Banks is the son of Sarabeth and Michael Banks and a student at East Side Elementary. Photo courtesy of Haywood County Schools.

Of the total 39 teachers hired this year, 18 are either from Brownsville and taught in other systems, completed college and came home to teach or came back to teach in the system after leaving to teach elsewhere. Pictured with the 18 are Superintendent Marlon King (back, left) and School and Community Relations Ambassador Art Garrett (back, right). Photo courtesy of Haywood County Schools.

Teachers visiting the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse booth were treated to a “sweet” guessing game involving twizzlers and jelly beans. This Haywood Junior High teacher looks over the jellybean jar while discussing the center with Haywood County Carl Perkins Director Beth Wilson.

Andrea Bond Johnson, of Golden Circle Life Insurance Agency, explains services offered by her company to teachers during the State of the Schools Business Fair held August 5.