New Faces in School Places
August 23, 2005 - A busy summer has produced many new employees throughout Union County Schools. 28 new teachers have been hired as well as other support personnel. There are 11 new teachers at the elementary level, 4 at the middle school level and 12 at the high school level.
Below is information about the new principals at Maynardville Elementary and Union County High and some interesting facts about our new teachers:
Larry Neely, Principal, Maynardville Elementary School graduated from Halls High School in 1977. He graduated from ETSU in 1982 with a B.S. and a M.Ed.in Supervision & Administration in 1986. Mr. Neely coached football for 15 years in high school and 4 years in college. He has also coached baseball for three years, wrestling for ten years, and softball for two years. Mr. Neely has fourteen years of school administration experience and has taught kindergarten thru college. He has been married to Erika D. Neely for twenty-two years. They have two children Heidi 14 and Joshua 8.
Larry Neely
Laura Phillips, Lorie Johnson, Kim Stooksbury, and Kim Smith
New Teachers:
Laura Phillips has resided in Claiborne County with her husband for the past 17 years. They have two children Jaira 7 and Zach 5. Ms. Phillips attended Morehead State University and received her certificate for Elementary Ed. K-8 and University of Tennessee for Sp. Ed certificate K-12. “I consider it a privilege to be working with the students and wonderful staff at MES!” says Ms. Phillips.
Lorie Johnson is currently in her fourth year of teaching with Union County Schools, but this is her first year at Maynardville Elementary School. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Buffalo State University and recently completed her Master's degree at Tusculum College. She lives in Corryton with her husband, Darrell and daughter, Emmaline. “I am very excited about the move to first grade and am looking forward to an excellent year,” says Ms. Johnson.
Kim Smith is a 2004 graduate of Lincoln Memorial University. She is the wife of Raymond Smith and has 3 teenage children. The Smith's have lived in Union County since 1987. Before becoming a school teacher, Kim, spent 10 years as a dental hygienist in the Knox County area. She is currently a student at Lincoln Memorial University pursuing a Masters Degree in Education.
Kim Stooksbury is a native of Union County. She still resides in Maynardville. Ms. Stooksbury graduated from East Tennessee University in Johnson City and is now working on her master's in education. She has two children Whitney and Trent Stooksbury. She comes from a family of school teachers.
Clint Abbott, Interim Principal, Union County High School is a resident of Blount County, has been married to Darlene Bailey Abbott for 37 years. They have one daughter, Deedee Abbott-Smith married to Tim Smith; One son, Darby Abbott married to Emily Joyce Abbott; and one granddaughter, Flora King Smith.
Mr. Abbott has served in myriad capacities during his long, colorful career:
Blount County Schools - Townsend High School- Classroom teacher and coach.
Taught Health, P.E., Science and Math- January 1966 -- June 1967
Knox County Schools - Karns Elementary School- Classroom teacher and coach.
Taught P.E.- August 1967-- June 1968
Mt. Olive Elementary School- Classroom teacher. Taught P. E.- August 1968--June1969
Alcoa City Schools - Alcoa High School- Classroom teacher and coach.
Taught Health, P. E, and Science
Alcoa High School- Half-time Assist. Principal—January 1973--November 1973
Acting Principal--November 1973--July 1974
Principal- July 1974—
June 1995- Retired
Mr. Abbott was graduated from Friendsville High School in 1961 and attended
Maryville College where he majored in Health & P. E. Minor in Science. He received the
Bachelor of Science degree in January 1966. He holds a Master of Arts degree in
Educational Administration Supervision from Tennessee Technological University and an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Tennessee.
Mr. Abbott has a long list of awards and recognitions from TSSAA and other organizations. We are truly fortunate to have a man of his ability in the leadership role at Union County High School.
Clint Abbott
New Faces at Union County High School
Standing: Penny Givens, Misty LaPrade, Brandy Ferrell, Leslie Taylor, Heather Cooke, Keri Butcher, Lorie Cook, Carroll Carmen, Clint Abbott. Seated: Tracie Savage, Debbie Sharp, T.J. Sewell
New Teachers:
Leslie Taylor is from Decatur County, Tennessee which is in West Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with concentration in Secondary Mathematics Education.
She enjoys almost all sports. Ms. Taylor looks forward to helping young people to excel in mathematics and is excited to be working in Union County.
Brandy Ferrell grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma, and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in engineering in 1999. While working in the corporate world as an engineer in Houston, she was given the opportunity to teach offshore oil rig crews engineering design and concepts. After returning to a normal facilities engineering position, she realized she wanted to teach at the secondary/postsecondary level. Before pursuing the career change, she married a wonderful man who brought her to his home state of Tennessee. She and her husband now have a 2-year-old son and are currently preparing for another addition to the family.
Heather Cooke attended Lincoln Memorial University for five years and obtained a BA in History as well as a degree in Secondary Education. She remained on the Dean’s List every semester and was involved in the Mu-Nu Phi Alpha Theta chapter on campus (the National History Honor's Society), Ms. Cooke was graduated from Union County High School in 2000. Her future plans are to attend graduate school to obtain her MA degree in either History or Curriculum Administration.
“I am looking forward to my first year of teaching world geography, and contemporary issues at UCHS. In addition, I have also volunteered to become one of the sponsors for the cheerleading team at UCHS. Also, I find it very rewarding to be working with some of my former high school teachers,” says Ms. Cooke.
Carroll Carmon was born and raised in Maynardville and currently resides in Maynardville. He is 33 years old and was graduated from HMHS in 1990. Mr. Carmon graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in 1994. he obtained M.Ed from LMU in July 2005. Mr. Carmon has been married to wife Julie for 6 yrs. They have 20 months old twin sons, Caleb and Christian. Mr. Carmon is a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Luttrell and is a Baptist minister.
T.J. Sewell has been coaching football at UCHS for two years. He was born in Miamisburg Ohio and graduated from LMU in December 2002, He currently lives in Tazewell, Tennessee.
Penny Givens will be teaching Multimedia Design, Keyboarding, and Keyboarding Applications. She was graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor in Business Administration and Marketing Degree in 1984. She and her husband, George, daughters, Ashley, Allison and Sarah live in Claiborne County. Ms. Givens has spent eighteen years in the business world working in sales and accounting. In 2002, she began working on her Masters in Education. While completing course work, she taught in the International Studies Department at LMU. She has also been an instructor for the Upward Bound Program at LMU. “I am excited to be a part of the Union County High School Faculty,” says Ms. Givens.
Lori Cook was graduated from Halls High School in 1994 and attended Lincoln Memorial University on an academic and athletic scholarship. She played four years of basketball, two years of volleyball, and one year of softball. Ms. Cook graduated with a B.S. in 1998 and with a Masters in Guidance and counseling in 2001. In 1999, She began teaching physical education and coaching girls basketball at Soldiers Memorial Middle School. Her team won six county championships and in seven years had a record of 165 wins and 14 loses.
“I am very excited about joining the Patriot family. I will be teaching wellness and physical education, assisting with the cross country team, and head girls basketball coach. My goal as a teacher and a coach is to express the importance of teamwork, always giving your best, being confident in who you are, and never settling for medirocity,” says Ms. Cook. Ms. Cook resides in New Tazewell with husband Dale. They have two awesome step-children Calli, 16 and Kara, 13.
Keri Butcher is originally from Chattanooga, TN. She holds a B.S. in Physical Education K-12 from Carson-Newman College. Ms. Butcher left CN to take a Wellness/P.E. position at UCHS. She was the Assistant Softball Coach at Carson-Newman College for the past five years. The Lady Eagle softball team won the 2005 South Atlantic Conference Tournament and Regular Season Championship.
She is married to Carl L. Butcher, Jr. from Fountain City who owns C.L. Butcher insurance on Hotel Ave. in Fountain City. They have a fifteen year old son named Matthew that is currently a sophomore at UCHS. They attend First Baptist Church of Fountain City and reside in the Sharps Chapel area.
Misty LaPrade was graduated from LMU with a degree in elementary education, K-8. She also has an endorsement in modified special education. She is married to a water well driller named Russell. They have two boys, Austin 7 years old and Tate 9 months old. She also has a step daughter named, Kayla. They live in Thorn Hill Tenn.
Debbie Sharp was graduated from LMU with an Associates degree in Applied Science in Nursing in 1995. She is a former graduate of Horace Maynard High School. Ms. Sharp has many years experience in the Nursing profession working at Hillcrest Med-Nursing Institute, Ob-Gyn Specialists, Park West Medical Center, and St Mary’s. She has also taught at Gibbs High School.
Tracie Savage was graduated from LMU with an Associates degree in Science in Nursing in 1992. She is a graduate of Horace Maynard High School. Ms. Savage has many years experience in the nursing profession working at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Park West Medical Center, and St Mary’s.
Big Ridge Elementary, Roger Flatford, Principal
New Teachers:
Tomara Groot teaches fifth grade and has a B.S. Degree in Early Childhood Development from East Tennessee State University. She has taught 7 years in Kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade. She is married to Tom Groot. Her hobbies include reading, scrapbooking, and boating. She is very excited to be working with the staff, parents, students and community of Union County.
Natashia Williams is a member of New Friendship Baptist Church and is a Horace Maynard High School Graduate. She holds a B.A. in history from U.T. Knoxville. She really enjoys walking her dog Sadie every evening.
Tomara Groot and Natashia Williams
Luttrell Elementary, Sonja Saylor, Principal
New Teachers
Jason Bailey teaches fifth grade math and science at LES. He is a life long resident of Maynardville and 1999 graduate of UCHS. Jason holds an Associate Degree from Walters State Community College and a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Lincoln Memorial University. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from LMU. He is a member of Leadership Union County Class of 2005 and a Union County Park's and Recreation board member. Jason plans to sponsor the LES Beta Club.
Jeremiah Epperson was graduated from Union County High School in 1998. he received an Associates Degree in history from Walters State Community College, a Bachelors Degree in history from Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), and is going back to LMU this year to get his Elementary Education Certification. He taught 8th grade math at Horace Maynard Middle School the last 4 months of last school year.
Juanita Tuttle is a new kindergarten teacher at Luttrell Elementary. She received her Associate in Arts Degree from Southeast Community College, which is located in Middlesboro, KY., in May 2002. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree (Elementary Education) from Lincoln Memorial University, which is located in Harrogate, TN. Ms. Tuttle lives in Harrogate, is married, and has two beautiful daughters. This is her first year of teaching.
Jason Bailey, Juanita Tuttle, and Jeremiah Epperson
Sharps Chapel Elementary, Bryan Shoffner, Principal
New Teachers:
Shannon Johnson is now at Sharps Chapel Elementary. She has taught in the Union County School System for 13 years at Maynardville Elementary (MES). At MES she taught Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 4th , and transition grade. She is certified K – 8 with a BS and Master's + 30 in Elementary Education.
Heather Wallace age 23 currently lives in Maynardville and was graduated from Union County High School in 1999. She attended Lincoln Memorial University earning a K-8 Teaching License. While attending L.M.U. Heather received the O.O. Howard Scholarship, the Grace Nettleton Scholarship and was named to the National Dean's List for academic achievement. This past summer, Heather began working on her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at L.M.U. She will be graduating in summer 2006. She taught K-3 Reading at Big Ridge Elementary School this past spring and is teaching 4th grade at Sharps Chapel Elementary currently.
Heather Wallace and Shannon Johnson
Horace Maynard Middle School, Melissa Carter, Principal
New Teachers:
Patrick Beeler is the HMMS Media Specialist. He holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from LMU and did his graduate work at ETSU in Educational Media/ Technology. He has taught and coached baseball for several years in Claiborne before moving to Union. He has been married 5 years. Mr. Beeler enjoys baseball, football, golf, classic cars, and playing guitar and piano.
Laura Johnson was graduated from Claiborne County High School in 1999. She attended Walters State Community College from 1999-2001, UT from 2001-2005 and received her BS Degree in 2004, and a MS Degree in 2005. She interned at Farragut Middle School last year where she taught 7th grade math. Ms. Johnson has lived in this area all of her life. She likes working out at the gym, shopping, traveling, and spending time with my family. “I am glad to have a job close to home,” says Ms. Johnson.
Roger Murphy was born and raised in Cheyenne, WY. He holds a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Wyoming and expects to complete his master's degree December 2005. Mr. Murphy played college basketball at Western Wyoming Community College 1993-1995 and at Manchester College 1995-1996. His hobbies include: basketball, golf, and tennis.
Scott Turner teaches 6th Grade Reading. He lives in Claiborne County. Mr. Turner graduated from LMU with a BS Degree in Elementary Education. He began his teaching career at HMMS where he taught three years. He moved to SMMS where he taught until this school year and has returned to HMMS in Union County.
Patrick Beeler, Laura Johnson, and Roger Murphy
Not Pictured: Scott Turner
Union County Alternative, Principal William (Bill) Robbins
New Teacher:
Gary Casteel attended the University of Tennessee. He holds a BA in Political Science from Carson-Newman College and MAT in Curriculum and Instruction. He is married but has no children. Mr. Casteel has a pet cat named Tigger. His hobbies include reading, traveling, and collecting oral histories of World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf War.
Gary Casteel
By Wayne Goforth
Elementary and Media Coordinator
Union County Public Schools