School Board Pays Tribute to Teachers, Administrative, and Instructional Support Staff

April 14, 2011

by: 

Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Board of Education Thursday night adopted resolutions honoring administrative and instructional support staff and teachers. The April monthly meeting of the school board was held at Smithville Elementary School.

The resolution of appreciation honoring teachers states that " Whereas, teachers nurture students and engage them in activities which will educate and graduate tomorrow's citizens and leaders; and

Whereas, teachers spend countless hours preparing teaching materials, grading papers and projects, studying about issues in education, consulting with administration, parents, students, and fellow educators; and

Whereas, teachers create a safe and healthy learning environment for the students to enjoy while they participate in daily lessons; and

Whereas, teachers demonstrate an exemplary attitude and establish rapport with the students; and

Whereas great teachers transmit their passion for learning onto their students; and

Whereas, effective teachers give positive and constructive advice, praise accomplishments, and adjust their teaching styles as needed to meet the individual needs of students.

Now, Therefore, Be it resolved that the DeKalb County Board of Education recognizes the numerous contributions that our teachers make each day by establishing May 3, 2011 as Teacher Appreciation Day in all DeKalb County Schools; and

Be it further resolved that the board expresses appreciation and thanks to teachers in our school system and encourages each school and community to recognize them for their contribution to the success of our school system and its students".

The resolution honoring administrative and instructional support staff states that "Whereas, the administrative and instructional support staff in the DeKalb County School System is an outstanding group of dedicated school employees who care deeply about the students; and

Whereas, our teachers and administrators depend upon administrative and instructional support staff members to prepare learning materials, operate the office, and carry out business functions of the school, tutor, counsel, advise, and guide individual students and perform a variety of other activities that result in an improved learning environment for students and their teachers throughout the school year; and

Whereas, our instructional and administrative support staff is made up of individuals who have shown a commitment to our schools and the students they serve; and

Whereas, most members of our administrative support staff bring into our schools a pleasant personality, a good measure of common sense, a calm demeanor, and a willingness to let others occupy the spotlight and receive credit for success; and

Now, Therefore be it resolved that the DeKalb County Board of Education hereby establishes April 21, 2011 as Administrative and Instructional Support Staff Appreciation Day; and

Be it further resolved that the board expresses appreciation and thanks to all the support staff in our school system and encourages each school to recognize and join in the celebration of these individuals on that day for the role they play in the success of our school system.

Be it further resolved that the board endorses the use of an outer space theme to celebrate administrative and instructional support staff members because students can have fun with the theme, use what they have learned about space in the celebration and because many of our students consider them to be shining stars who help to guide them in the right direction".

Director of Schools Mark Willoughby gave his monthly update on personnel:

Rebecca Purdue, a teacher at DCHS has resigned
Annie Walker, PreK Educational Assistant at Smithville Elementary School has retired

Candice Scarbro, teacher at DeKalb Middle School, was granted a leave as requested.

In other business, the board voted to accept sealed bids on the sale of six buses being taken out of service as surplus property. Sealed bids will be opened on June 9th. The board also approved the disposal of other surplus property including several computer monitors and printers.

Darrell Gill, on behalf of the Junior Pro Football Program, asked for and received permission from the school board for the architectural and engineers building plans to be submitted to the state fire marshal for the construction of a new 5,134 square foot field house at DCHS, subject to a review by the school system's maintenance supervisor Earl Jared.

The new fieldhouse, being built with high school football and Jr. Pro funds, will be for the Tiger football program complete with a dressing room area, locker room, training room, utility room, showers and bathrooms, an office for the coach, and two dry storage areas, one of which would be for the youth football league. Construction is expected to begin this summer with volunteer labor.

The board also voted to ask Director Willoughby to gather more information on what is specifically needed and the cost estimates for updating the existing science lab facilities at DeKalb County High School. Once that information is obtained, the board may schedule a special meeting to discuss the issue further.

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Martha Webb Commits to Maryville College

April 12, 2011

Martha Webb has committed to continue her education, and basketball career at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee.

The daughter of Alan and Lora Webb, Martha was a standout forward for the Tigers at DeKalb County High School.

This 5'11" standout was an All-District 8AA performer during her junior and senior seasons under head coach Joe Pat Cope at DeKalb County. During her career she deposited 1,141 total points while knocking down 127 career three-pointers. She was also versatile enough to haul down 668 career rebounds.

As an NCAA Division III institution, Maryville College does not award scholarships based on athletic performance; however, for her proven academic ability and accomplishments in high school, the Smithville, Tennessee native and class salutatorian has been awarded the Maryville College Scholarship.

Darrin Travillian, head coach of the Maryville College women's Basketball team, said, " Martha is an excellent addition to our program. She has been the "go-to" player and leader of her team. Although she played a great deal of post this season, Martha has the ability to step out on the perimeter and make shots, giving her the chance to play some at the four and five. She is a willing rebounder and defender, which will give her the opportunity to compete for playing time in our front court."

This fall, Webb will join a team that finished the 2010-11 season with a 21-5 record winning the Great South Athletic Conference regular season crown by posting a perfect 14-0 mark during the regular season. The Scots have earned 17 invitations to the NCAA tournament pacing the school's athletic department in post-season appearances.

Maryville College is ideally situated in Maryville, Tenn., between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Knoxville, the state's third largest city. Founded in 1819, it is the 12th oldest institution of higher learning in the South and maintains an affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Known for its academic rigor and its focus on the liberal arts, Maryville is where students come to stretch their minds, stretch themselves and learn how to make a difference in the world. Total enrollment for the spring 2011 semester is 1,103 men and women, representing approximately 17 states, 15 countries.

(PICTURED ABOVE: FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT- Emily Webb, Lora Webb, Martha Webb, Alan Webb and Thomas Webb. BACK ROW- Coach Lynus Martin, Coach Joe Pat Cope, and Coach Josh Agee. NOT PICTURED- Anderson Webb (Martha's brother who is a student at Belmont University) and Mary Ann Puckett (Assistant Coach)

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