Category: Education

Hornet Hall of Fame adds to its ranks

Three Athens High School graduates were inducted Thursday evening into the Hornet Hall of Fame for their service to others. Pictured (from left) are: inductee Kaci Koviak Wesp; inductee Eugene Buford; and Ellen Justice, the daughter of posthumous inductee Judge William Wayne Justice. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator

It was a celebration of achievement Thursday evening, as three Athens High School graduates were inducted into the Hornet Hall of Fame. Some 100 people gathered at the annual gala to honor the contributions of Eugene Buford, Kaci Koviak Wesp and the late William Wayne Justice.

“We started the Hornet Hall of Fame three years ago to honor the remarkable men and women who have walked our halls,” said AISD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims. “It’s important not only to look forward to where we want to be, but to acknowledge what has already been achieved.”

Continue reading “Hornet Hall of Fame adds to its ranks”

Exchange student returns to AHS

Bernardo Braga Da Cruz recently returned to Athens High School where he spent the 2001-2002 school year as an exchange student from Portugal. Cruz was a member of the AHS soccer team, which in 2002 was co-district champion and bi-district champion. He returned to Athens in October with his wife, Joana, to attend the wedding reception of his host-family brother, Austin Cates. The two played soccer together and — when Cruz’s original host family announced they were moving from Athens — the Cates family happily took Cruz in. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

Teacher of Year says trust is key to a great classroom

Toni Garrard Clay/AISD
Athens ISD’s Secondary and Elementary Teachers of the Year are, respectively, Dallas Robertson and Brenda Meyer. Robertson teaches freshman U.S. history and is the head baseball coach and head freshman football coach at Athens High School. Meyer teaches third-grade math and science at Central Athens Elementary. Both are wonderful examples to their students and colleagues at AISD.

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator

If you walk into Brenda Meyer’s classroom at Central Athens Elementary, you might find yourself in Candyland or in an “escape room” or under blacklights. Her students adore the room transformations so much, they hardly notice they’re learning new math concepts or reading comprehension skills — and the children aren’t the only ones having a good time.

“I love it,” said Meyer, the corners of her eyes crinkling with a smile. “My motto in the room is work hard; play hard. I build relationships with my students to make them want to do the work. But they’re kids, and they need the play part in order to be more enthusiastic about the work part.”

Continue reading “Teacher of Year says trust is key to a great classroom”

Three local campuses earn all available distinctions

Three Henderson County schools were among the 400 campuses that achieved a Met Standard rating in the 2018 state accountability system and also earned all distinction designations applicable to their individual school, according to Commissioner of Education Mike Morath

The schools are Tool Elementary School from Malakoff ISD and Southside Elementary School and Lakeview Elementary School from Mabank ISD.

Continue reading “Three local campuses earn all available distinctions”