Tahira Chandler named
DCSS Teacher of the Year
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Tahira Chandler, the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) teacher at New Manchester High School (NMHS), has been named the Douglas County School System (DCSS) Teacher of the Year for 2021-22. Chandler was recognized at a banquet Thursday night along with the other 33 school-level Teachers of the Year.
During the TOTY judging process, judges spoke highly of Chandler, with many saying her positive attitude and passion for her students and teaching set her apart. Another remarked that Chandler had a genuine love and commitment to her profession, while another added that each student in her class is important to her.
“As a public school teacher, we are blessed to serve a diverse group of learners each year. Some years, we get students who love school and want to learn, and some years we have students who are just not lucky enough to be able to focus on their schooling alone,” Chandler said. “We must ensure the success of all of our students, no matter what deficits or learning gaps they may have.”
Chandler, a Detroit, Michigan, native, moved to Georgia in 2007 and began her teaching career in 2010.
Since 2016, Chandler has been helping students at NMHS, first as a math teacher before transitioning to teaching AVID at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.
AVID is a year-long program for students that seeks to close the achievement gap and prepare them for college readiness and future career success in a global society.
At the banquet, Avery Zachery, a Winston Elementary School fourth-grade teacher, was named Elementary School TOTY, and Radiance Ruffin, a seventh-grade teacher at Stewart Middle School, was named Middle School TOTY.
Other semifinalists for district TOTY in addition to Chandler, Zachery and Ruffin were Meagan Russell of Bright Star Elementary School, Colette Bell of Yeager Middle School and Leah Mathis of Alexander High School.
The 2021-22 Douglas County School System TOTY will represent Douglas County for the next year at various speaking engagements and will compete for 2022-23 Georgia Teacher of the Year.
Chandler is pictured with Board of Education Chair Tracy Rookard and Superintendent Trent North. She is also pictured with her husband, John Chandler, who serves as assistant principal and athletic director at Alexander High School.
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Pictured above are finalists Radiance Ruffin, Middle School Teacher of the Year; Tahira Chandler, High School Teacher of the Year and DCSS Teacher of the Year; and Avery Zachery, Elementary School Teacher of the Year. |
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DCES celebrates International Dot Day |
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Ms. Cindy Ibbetson's kindergarten class, pictured above, enjoyed celebrating International Dot Day on September 15 with the rest of the classes at Dorsett Shoals Elementary!
"Dot Day was a huge success!" according to DSES Principal Kelly Brown. "Our students loved joining students from around the world to celebrate International Dot Day."
The day was filled with creativity and perseverance, which are themes found in the picture book The Dot by Peter Reynolds. The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark."
At DSES, one student from each grade level received a copy of the book after being nominated by their teachers for their creativity, positivity and "making their mark” at Dorsett Shoals.
Students at DSES were joined by students at other Douglas County schools and over 21 million children and adults around the globe in 196 countries who celebrated International Dot Day and embraced its challenged to make the world a better place.
Art teacher Sara Luhr and Media Specialist Tracy Scaglione collaborated so all students had the opportunity to hear the story and create art with dots. Students and staff also painted dots on the Dot Day table in the outdoor classroom.
Pictured below, Ms. Luhr helps a student with an art project.
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At WES, learning takes place in the classroom and on the courts |
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Academics and opportunities for social and emotional learning are all important at Winston Elementary.
Winston recently hosted its second annual tennis camp after school at the park adjacent to the school campus. Students spent the week learning the basics of the game and getting to know other Wildcats they might not encounter day-to-day at school. Winston teachers Angela Wilder and Shelia Brown coordinated the camp.
Administrators and staff at Winston believe that after-school clubs and camps provide opportunities to grow as a family and community while teaching new skills and cultivating new athletic talents. "Working hard, taking risks and sharpening skills are important keys in developing lifelong learners at Winston," said Principal Chelsie Goodman. "We support this endeavor so much that it extends beyond the school day."
Opportunities for learning abound during the regular school day at Winston. Mrs. Wilder, Program Challenge teacher, works diligently with all teachers to ensure academic enrichment and rigor.
Kindergarten students recently got a head start on some of the science standards they will encounter throughout their years at Winston. While observing and making predictions about precipitation, the students created their own models and spent time reading and discussing the results with friends.
Principal Goodman knows that accelerating students new to elementary school and providing opportunities for them to interact and think critically as soon as they enter the building creates a solid foundation for years to come. "The kindergarten teachers, along with all of our Wildcat staff, continue to push all students to be the best versions of themselves."
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Jeffcoat named "Top Gun" for her dedication and success with WBL students |
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Congratulations to Julie Jeffcoat, work-based learning (WBL) coordinator at Alexander High School. Ms. Jeffcoat was one of 15 WBL coordinators across the state selected to attend the esteemed "Top Gun" WBL training in Gainesville, GA, last summer.
Ms. Jeffcoat has guided her WBL students to success in their careers over the last 17 years.
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Nayeli Vazquez, Douglas County Chamber of Commerce
One of her success stories is Nayeli Vazquez, who worked as a part-time receptionist with the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce during her senior year at Alexander. Nayeli graduated from AHS in 2020 and is now a student at the University of West Georgia studying business and marketing management. She also serves as the marketing intern with the Chamber, where she is responsible for coordinating all social media communications for the organization.
"I'm grateful for the connection between WBL and the Chamber," said Ms. Vazquez. "My experience as an intern at the Chamber during high school helped determine my career path."
Ms. Vazquez is set to graduate from college with several years of experience in her chosen career path.
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Gabby Robinson, MembersFirst Credit Union
A 2019 graduate of Alexander High School, Ms. Robinson began working at MembersFirst Credit Union her senior year as a part-time teller. She now works full time as head teller at MembersFirst.
"WBL provided me with technical and professional skills and allowed me to observe professionals working in the field," said Robinson. "The WBL program teaches independence and helps connect students with professionals who can help set them up for success when it comes time to start their careers."
Students who are interested in gaining work experience while in high school should reach out to the WBL coordinator at their school.
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Officer Outley: Encouraging positive behavior at CHES |
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School Resource Officer Derrick Outley is an integral part of the positive culture at Chapel Hill Elementary School. He and Guidance Counselor Tracy Small taught the lesson “Skills Needed for Educational Achievement/Expected vs Unexpected Behaviors." The overall theme for the lesson: "Rules are there to help, not hurt" and "Rules are there to keep you safe."
Mrs. Small and Officer Outley used toy cars in their lesson to talk about what happens if the rules are not followed at a stop light, and even if rules are not followed when making brownie mix!
Officer Outley also supports the Golden Ticket initiative. Each day, homeroom teachers select one student who has followed the CHES standards of conduct to receive the Golden Ticket. At the end of the week, one student from each grade level is selected to hang out with Officer Outley!
“Officer Outley is a building celebrity!" said CHES Principal K'Asha Davis. "Hanging out with Officer Outley reinforces the CHES standards of conduct and also cultivates relationships with our School Resource Officer.“
Officer Outley can also be found partnering with the Media Specialist Cameron Sheldon. He even has his own book recommendation and bookmark. He is pictured above with Counselor Small and Mrs. Brown's kindergarten class.
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Congratulations to our Top 10 Young Professionals! |
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Two Douglas County School System administrators are among the Top 10 Young Professionals of the Year. The honor was bestowed at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon on September 15.
Tiffany Weaver, pictured left with Superintendent Trent North, serves as principal of Mason Creek Middle School. Tanish Springer, right, is the assistant principal at Holly Springs Elementary.
“This means a lot to me, and it says a lot to represent the school system,” Springer said. “It is a very exciting time to be recognized. I want to continue to help engage in the community.”
“Past winners have inspired me to continue striving to be my best self,” Weaver said. “I hope that I can inspire others, especially young female educators, to set challenging goals and work hard to meet them no matter their age. I have been blessed to be surrounded by many amazing educators in my four years as the principal of Mason Creek Middle School. These educators and our students serve as my daily reminder of my purpose as their leader.”
The Top 10 Young Professional awards recognize outstanding leaders in the community who are between the ages of 21-40.
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Helen Martinez-Salinas is a truly self-motivated fifth grade learner and embodies P.R.I.D.E. in everything she does! Lithia Springs Elementary School Principal Tonia A. Small says Helen is a straight ‘A’ student that consistently challenges herself in the classroom daily. For Helen, good is genuinely not “good enough.” Helen is always looking to improve, and this means that she often finds herself at the top of the class academically. She is the student in the classroom who always encourages others to see the positive in difficult situations. However, the characteristic that makes Helen unique is her empathy and kindness for others. She has patience beyond her years and is a genuine friend to all in the classroom. Helen shines as a Lithia Springs Elementary School student! |
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September 30: Online Panel Discussion on COVID-19 (Community Invited)
October 4: BOE Work Session, 6:00 p.m.
October 5: FTE Count
October 6: Grading Period Ends
October 11, 12: Holiday (Except 240 Day Employees)
October 14: Progress Reports for High Schools; Report Cards for Elementary and Middle Schools
October 16: DCEF Fun Run at NMHS
October 18: BOE Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
November 1: BOE Work Session and Meeting
November 2: Teacher Work Day (No School for Students)
November 17: Progress Reports for Elementary and Middle Schools
November 22, 23: Holidays (Except 240)
November 24-26: Holidays for All
December 6: BOE Work Session and Meeting
December 17: Last Day of Semester; Grading Period Ends
December 20, 21: Holidays (Except 240)
December 22-31: Holidays for All
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Join us for a discussion:
COVID-19 in our community
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We invite our community members to participate in an open panel discussion on COVID-19 with renowned medical experts and DCSS principals and district personnel. You will hear the facts about the vaccinations, how to protect against the Delta variant, and what to expect if you or a loved one becomes hospitalized. The panel welcomes questions from the community.
To register for the meeting, please click here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.
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SDES Fastest Feet Fun Run September 25
For a PDF of the registration form, please click here.
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DCEF Fall Fun Run: October 16 |
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Join us for the annual Fall Fun Run, sponsored by the Douglas County Education Foundation! For a PDF of the application, please click here.
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Check out opportunities that are available in our area by clicking the Community Bulletin Board below! |
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