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Staff Directory

Penny Arnold
Arnold, Penny
School Nurse
Born in: Okinawa, Japan
College attended: Christian Life College, TN Tech Center, Excelsior College
Started working with children in: 2019
Favorite thing about my job: The Students and staff
3 things I love: Family time, Camping, and Reading
Favorite quote: "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer every man." Col 4:6
Kristina Arturi
Arturi, Kristina
Music Teacher
Born in: Rockledge, FL
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 2003
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing the happiness on children's faces as they create music
3 things I love: Jesus, my family, and cheesecake!
Favorite quote: Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Payton Bell
Bell, Payton
Fourth Grade Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: University of Tennessee at Martin
Started teaching in: 2020
Favorite thing about my job: The people I work with
3 things I love: exercising, reading, gardening
Bishop, Mandy
Kindergarten Teacher
Born in:
College attended:
Started teaching in:
Favorite thing about my job:
3 things I love: 
Raianna Bowens
Bowens, Raianna
Office Assistant / ISS
 Born in: Clovis, CA
College attended: Nashville State, and currently attending Western Governors University
Started working with children in: 2018
Favorite thing about my job: Working with the Students, and watching them grow
3 things I love: My Family, Basketball & Coffee
Favorite quote: Work Hard In Silence, Let Success Make The Noise

Melba Brake
Brake, Melba
Attendance Secretary
Born in: Dickson, TN
Colleges attended: Tennessee Tech
Started working with children in: 1999
Favorite thing about my job: Smiling and the children
3 things I love: Walking, time with family, cooking
Dana Burns
Burns, Dana
Title One Assistant
Born in: Nashville, TN
Started working with children in: 2008 subbing
3 things I love: God, Family and Laughing
Favorite quote: "I can do all things through God who is my strength."
Castaneda, Ryan
Fifth Grade Teacher
Born in:
College attended:
Started teaching in:
Favorite thing about my job:
3 things I love: 
Marcia Cathey
Cathey, Marcia
Title One Interventionist
Born: Dickson TN
College Attended: APSU
Started Teaching In: 1987
Favorite thing about my job: Watching kids learn
3 things I love: family, reading, friends
Favorite Quote: We dislike what we don't understand
Kim Cato
Cato, Kim
Title One Interventionist
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: University of TN, Knoxville; Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 1989
Favorite thing about my job: Helping students learn to read and succeed!
3 things I love: My family, Reading, Shopping
Cummings, Ashley
Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Born in:
College Attended:
Started Teaching in :
Favorite thing about my job:
3 things I love:
Favorite Quote:

Christy Cunningham
Cunningham, Christy
Cafeteria Monitor
Born: Dickson
Years working with kids: 16 years
Favorite thing about your job: Working and helping the kids. The hugs and smiles make my day.
Three things you love: Family/Friends, Roll Tide and Sweet Tea
Favorite Quote: "It is what it is"
Stephanie Daniel
Daniel, Stephanie
Special Education Assistant
Born in: Dickson, TN
Started working with children in: 1989
Favorite thing about my job: The excitement on a child's face when the light comes on
3 things I love: My Family, My children, My friends
Favorite quote: "You may not understand now, but one day you will."
Elease Dansby
Dansby, Elease
Special Education Assistant
Born in: Dickson, TN
Started working with children in: 1999
Favorite thing about my job: A smile on the kid's face, the hugs, and the wonderful people I work with
3 things I love: The color orange, The VOLS, and my family
Favorite quote: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde
Pam Daugherty
Daugherty, Pam
School Nutrition
Born In: Dickson TN
College attended:
Years working with children: 23 years
Favorite thing about your job: Hearing the funny stories the kids tell me
3 Things you love: My family, crafting, and animals
Your favorite Quote: " The best thing is life isn't things"
Crystal Donaldson
Donaldson, Crystal
Second Grade Teacher
Born in: Nashville, TN
College attended: University of Phoenix
Started working with children in: 2016
Favorite thing about my job: Helping create an academic foundation as well as social-emotional friendly learning environment for our students
3 things I love: My children and family, animals and farm life, and being outdoors
Favorite quote: "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." - Percicles
Michaela Easley
Easley, Michaela
Second Grade Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Welch College
Started teaching in: 2021
Favorite thing about my job: Helping children grow and learn in the way that is appropriate for them
3 things I love: Family, Reading, and Camping
Favorite quote: "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." - J.R.R. Tolkien 
Debbie Erranton
Erranton, Debbie
Pre-K Assistant
Born in: Dickson, TN
Started working with children in: 2016
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing those smiling faces each day
3 things I love: My job, The Beach, Crafting
Favorite quote: Start each day with a grateful heart.
Kim Forster
Forster, Kim
Second Grade Teacher
Born in: Atlanta, GA
College attended: APSU
Started teaching in: 1997
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing student growth throughout the year
3 things I love: family, church, animals
Haley Gerber
Gerber, Haley
Fifth Grade Teacher
Born in: Jackson, TN
College attended: Freed-Hardeman University and University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Started teaching in: 2011
Favorite thing about my job: Getting to be a part of students lives and watching them grow academically
3 things I love: Reading, Music, Theater
Favorite quote: "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I have would not a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me'. - Erma Bombeck
Anna Glass
Glass, Anna
Second Grade Teacher
Born in: Madison, GA
College attended: Western Governors University
Started teaching in: 2019
Favorite thing about my job: Helping students realize their potential and watching them have those lightbulb moments
3 things I love: My kids, our animals, coffee
Favorite quote: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Gunn, Shea
ELL Teacher
Born in:
College attended:
Started teaching in:
Favorite thing about my job:
3 things I love:
Favorite quote: 
Anna Harris
Harris, Anna
Assistant Principal
Born in: Dickson, TN
Colleges attended: Austin Peay State University and Tennessee State University
Started teaching in: 1999
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing students learning and growing
3 things I love: my girls, the beach, being outside
Favorite quote: "Hope anchors the soul."  Hebrews 6:19
Anita Hartsfield
Hartsfield, Anita
Instructional Coach
Born in: Goldsberg, Missouri
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 1994
Favorite thing about my job: Collaborating with teachers
3 things I love: Family, Grandkids, Eating at different restaurants
Favorite quote: Remember the Past, Enjoy the Present, Embrace the Future
Ellen Haugh
Haugh, Ellen
Special Education Teacher
Born in: Princeton, IL
College attended: UT Martin
Started teaching in: 1987
Favorite thing about my job: The kids!
3 things I love: My family, my boys and watching TV
Pam Hayes
Hayes, Pam
RTI Assistant Manager
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended:  David Lipscomb College and TN State University for Master’s degree
Started teaching in: 1980
Favorite thing about my job: Working with small children
3 things I love: traveling, scrapbooking, reading
Favorite quote: “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” - Jimmy Johnson
Mellissa Henley
Henley, Mellissa
Bookkeeper
Born in: Nashville, TN
Started working with children in: 2006
Favorite thing about my job: Working with children and seeing them make gains
3 things I love: Grandchildren, Family and BASEBALL!
Favorite quote: Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about, BE KIND, ALWAYS!
Julie Herring
Herring, Julie
Fourth Grade Teacher
Born in: Nashville, TN
College attended: Middle Tennessee State University
Started teaching in: 2010
Favorite thing about my job: Helping students see their potential
3 things I love: My family, my job/ my students, sports
Favorite quote: "The future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Misty Hodge
Hodge, Misty
Principal
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: APSU and TSU
Started teaching children in: 2001
Favorite thing about my job: Observing great lessons and discussing success with staff
3 things I love: God, friends/family, sports, country music, & desserts
Favorite quote: “Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves.”
April Hodges
Hodges, April
Fourth Grade Teacher
Born in: Waverly, TN
Colleges attended: University of Tennessee at Martin and Walden University
Started teaching in: 1996
Favorite thing about my job: Making a difference in my students' lives every day.
3 things I love: My family, a good book at the beach, Diet Mountain Dew
Favorite quote: "Try to be a Rainbow in Someone's Cloud." - Maya Angelou
Stephanie Holland
Holland, Stephanie
Kindergarten Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Austin Peay and Arkansas State
Started teaching in: 2009
Favorite thing about my job: The kids
5 things I love: My cows, farm, horse, dogs, and family
Favorite quote: ‘Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.’ - Unknown
Carolyn Hooper
Hooper, Carolyn
School Nutrition
Where were you born: Dickson 
College attended: 
Years working with children: 38
Favorite thing about your job: The kids
3 things you love: Chocolate and animals
Your favorite quote: "Stay Strong"
Jane Hughes
Hughes, Jane
Pre-K Teacher
Born in: Waverly, Tennessee
College attended: University of Phoenix and University of Tennessee Martin
Started Teaching in: 2014
Favorite thing about my job: Interactions with children
3 things I love: spending time with my grandsons, yard work, and reading
Mae Keele
Keele, Mae
Custodian
Born In: Pontiac MI
College attended:
Years working with kids: 15 years
Favorite thing about your job: The people I work with
3 Things you love: Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper and my grandkids
Your favorite quote: "Enjoy life"
Kelley, Angie
First Grade Teacher
Born in:
College attended:
Started:
Favorite thing about my job:
3 things I love:
Favorite quote: 
Jodi Kidd
Kidd, Jodi
Kindergarten Teacher
Born in: Oak Park, Illinois
College attended: University of Tennessee at Martin
Started teaching in: 2006
Favorite thing about my job: Building relationships with my students
3 things I love: Reading, sitting on my back porch, my family
Favorite quote: "Anyone who can only think of one way to spell a word obviously lacks imagination." - Mark Twain
John Kovalchick
Kovalchick, John
PE Teacher
Born in: Youngstown, Ohio
College attended: Ambassador College
Started teaching in: 1982
Favorite part of my job: The students
3 things I love: My wife & family, Greyhounds, and wearing shorts
Nicole Lee
Lee, Nicole
Fourth Grade Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 2012
Favorite thing about my job: Teaching the kids; watching them learn and grow
3 things I love: Reading, family, watching TV
Favorite quote: Jeremiah 29:11
Elizabeth Lee Hanes
Lee Hanes, Elizabeth
First Grade Teacher
Born in: Nashville, TN
College attended: Austin Peay State University & Freed-Hardeman University
Started teaching in: 2017
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing students learn to never give up
3 things I love: Being creative, joking with my class, spending time with family
Hannah Lewis
Lewis, Hannah
Special Education Assistant
Born in: Murray Ky
Colleges attended: Murray State University, Nashville State Community College
Started teaching in: 2017
Favorite thing about my job: Encouraging my young students to be excited about learning, collaboration with teachers
3 things I love: Reading, traveling, photography
Mallard, Kristen
First Grade Teacher
Born in:
College attended:
Started teaching in:
Favorite thing about my job:
3 things I love:
Favorite quote: 
Debbie Martinez
Martinez, Debbie
Title One Assistant
Born in: Americus, GA
Started working with children in: 2005
Favorite thing about my job: Helping children learn and be loved
3 things I love: God, Family and Life
Jacqueline McElrath
McElrath, Jacqueline
Speech Teacher
Melissa McElrath-Russell
McElrath-Russell, Melissa
Pre-K Teacher
Born in: Maury, TN
College attended: Columbia State, MTSU, TN Wesleyan
Started teaching in: 2012
Favorite thing about my job: Teaching children new things and watching the light bulb go off when they learn something new
3 things I love: Spending time with my family, outdoors/hunting, being crafty
Favorite quote: Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.....It's learning to dance in the rain.
Erica Pendergrass
Pendergrass, Erica
Pre-K Assistant
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Nashville State Community College; East Central University
Started working with children in: 2010
Favorite thing about my job: Working with kids and teaching them
3 things I love: Coffee, reading a good book, and traveling
Favorite Quote: "Don't quit 5 minutes before the Miracle." - Anonymous
Pam Puckett
Puckett, Pam
Pre-K Teacher
Born in: Karachi, Pakistan
College attended: Vanderbilt and Cumberland for Masters
Started teaching in: 1985
Favorite thing about my job: Children
3 things I love: My God, My family, My Job
Qualls, Katelyn
Kindergarten Teacher
Born in:
College attended:
Started Teaching in:
Favorite thing about my job:
3 things I love:
Favorite quote: 
Beth Raynor
Raynor, Beth
School Counselor
Born in: Macon, Georgia
College attended: Mississippi College, University of North Alabama
Started teaching in: 2019
Favorite thing about my job: Getting to build relationships with the students and staff
3 things I love: My dog, Reading, Dr. Pepper
Favorite quote: "People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be." - Carl Rogers
Reynolds, Stephanie
Third Grade Teacher
Born in:
College attended:
Started teaching in:
Favorite thing about my job:
3 things I love:
Favorite quote: 
Karen Roe
Roe, Karen
Speech Assistant
Born: Dickson TN
College attended: MTSU, APSU
Three things I love: Iced coffee. Sports, Family
Favorite Quote: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Phil 4:13
Worked with kids since: 2012
Jerry Rye
Rye, Jerry
PE Teacher
Born in: Erin, TN
College attended: Austin Peay State University, Nova Southeastern University
Started teaching in: 1999
Favorite thing about my job: Providing healthy activities to get students moving
3 things I love: Fishing, Music, Movies
Beth Smiley
Smiley, Beth
Librarian
Born in: Waverly, TN
College attended: MTSU
Started teaching in: 1998
Favorite thing about my job: Helping kids learn that reading is FUN!
3 things I love: Reading, traveling, and cooking 
Lisa Stanley
Stanley, Lisa
School Nutrition
Where were you born: Dickson TN
College attended:
Years working with kids: 30 years
Favorite thing about your job: The kids
3 Things you love: My grandchildren, my dogs, and crafting
Your favorite quote: Don't worry about things you cannot change
Melissa Thedford
Thedford, Melissa
Pre-K Assistant
Born in: Las Vegas, Nevada
Colleges attended: Holmes Community College
Started teaching in: 2020
Favorite thing about my job: Inspiring my students to do their very best everyday with love and kindness
3 things I love: Spending time with my family and friends, reading my Bible, and doing crafts with my kids
Favorite quote: "She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31:25
Joey Tidwell
Tidwell, Joey
Special Education Assistant
Born in: Dickson,TN
Started working with students in: 2020
3 things I love: Spending time with my 3 children, Traveling & Photography
Favorite quote: "She remembered who she was and the game changed."
Melissa Tinsley
Tinsley, Melissa
Cafeteria Manager
Born in:
College attended: APSU, American Inst of Banking
Years working with children: 20 plus
Favorite thing about my job: Seeing the kids
3 things I love: chocolate, fall and my new grandbaby
Favorite quote: "Always go the extra mile." 
Brooke Welch
Welch, Brooke
Fourth Grade Teacher
Born in: Nashville, Tennessee
College attended: University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Austin Peay University
Started teaching in: 2006
Favorite thing about my job: Working with kids
3 things I love: reading, traveling, and gardening
Brett Wilson
Wilson, Brett
Special Education Teacher
Born in: Columbia, TN
College attended: Austin Peay State University
Started teaching in: 2018
Favorite thing about my job: Working with the students and helping them to be successful
3 things I love: Family, Basketball, Football
Samantha York
York, Samantha
Second Grade Teacher
Born in: Dickson, TN
College attended: Welch College
Started teaching in: 2006
Favorite thing about my job: Helping children grow to be their best
3 things I love: family, crafting, reading
Favorite quote: "Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt
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