National News
Forest school community growing, seeing increased interest
Rachel and Jeremy Thacker s son Teagan did well in traditional school but had a lot of energy and often fidgeted in class.
by Associated Press
Jul. 17 2021 @ 11:05pm
A class is seen during the Wauhatchie School forest day camp at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center on Thursday, July 1, 2021 in Chattanooga, Tenn. (Troy Stolt/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) Rachel and Jeremy Thacker s son Teagan did well in traditional school but had a lot of energy and often fidgeted in class.
After switching to the forest school model at Wauhatchie School for his third-grade year, his parents said he thrived. But a new concern arose: Teagan was about to age out of the program at the end of the school year, and the family was nervous about his possible return to traditional school.
Former Lexington Co. Kindergarten teacher receives maximum sentence for child sexual assault Rodriguez was employed as a Spanish language immersion teacher at Red Bank Elementary School from 2014 until 2017. (Source: Lexington Co. Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office) By WIS News 10 Staff | May 12, 2021 at 11:37 AM EDT - Updated May 12 at 11:49 AM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A former Kindergarten teacher in Lexington County accused of sexually abusing a student has received the maximum sentence Wednesday, officials say.
Hianlucas Isturiz Rodriguez, 43, pled guilty this week in Lexington County General Sessions Court to criminal sexual conduct with a minor - third degree for sexually abusing a student.
ABC Columbia
May 12, 2021 3:53 PM EDT
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– According to the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office, a former kindergarten teacher at Red Bank Elementary School was sentenced to the maximum 15 years after pleading guilty to criminal sexual conduct with a minor, third degree. Officials say 43-year-old Hianlucas Isturiz Rodriguez was employed as a Spanish language immersion teacher at the school from 2014-2017, when he was terminated following a student’s report of abuse.
Hianlucas Isturiz Rodriguez
Courtesy: Lexington County Detention Center
In April 2017, authorities say Rodriguez told her parents that Rodriguez was inappropriately touching her at school. School officials brought the reports to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, who corroborated the story through evidence found at the school and interviews with other students.
Hamilton County Schools Announce New Principals Monday, May 10, 2021 Hamilton County Schools announced several personnel updates Monday.
Andrea Johnson is the new principal at Barger Academy. She previously served as the principal at Lakeside Academy, a Level 5 school.
Ms. Johnson, a 26-year veteran of Hamilton County Schools, first joined the district as a teacher and taught for 13 years. In 2008, she moved to the district level as a secondary literacy coordinator, and later served as assistant principal at both Woodmore Elementary School and Lakeside Academy. Ms. Johnson has been the principal at Lakeside Academy since 2014, where she started a Destination Imagination class to engage students in STEM challenges, creativity, and collaboration. She is the recipient of an Annenberg Foundation Grant (2017), and made it to the Global Finals of the first Destination Imagination Competition (2015-2016).
Red Bank Elementary Teacher Named Extraordinary Educator Thursday, April 29, 2021
Brandi Adam, an instructional coach and teacher at Red Bank Elementary School, has been named an Extraordinary Educator by Curriculum Associates, a leading education partner serving more than 10 million teachers and students in 50 states.
The Tennessee Legislature and Governor Bill Lee recognized Ms. Adam and this national honor in a resolution (SJR0104) introduced by Senator Bo Watson. Ms. Adam was quoted as being “an extremely talented and compassionate educator who works assiduously to motivate her students to reach their full potential, both as scholars and as citizens and.truly epitomizes the dedicated teacher who is wholly committed to the highest ideals of public service and quality education for all.”