SUPERINTENDENT SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Bruce Borchers (Oak Ridge)

Our Superintendent Spotlight for the month of December is Dr. Bruce Borchers who is currently serving his fourth year as Director of Schools in Oak Ridge.  

Dr. Borchers was excited to share about his districts Project Based Learning (PBL) initiatives.  One example he listed was the partnership between Robertsville Middle Schools and NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI), which provides access to a low-cost pathway for conducting research and deploying small payloads in a ride-share format.  Students participating in this program hope to have their 3-D printed CubeSat in space next year! 

He was also extremely proud that Oak Ridge ranked number 1 in the state of Tennessee in the Niche 2017 Best School Districts.  This ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents, using data from the U.S. Department of Education. 

Finally, when asked what his favorite part of his job is, Dr. Borchers said: "The biggest motivating factor for me is the ongoing pursuit of offering pathways for our students so they are successful once they walk across the stage at graduation.  We continue to be focused on our Seven Keys to College and Career Readiness, and will not be satisfied until we attain these lofty goals." 

Keep up the great work you're doing for Oak Ridge Schools, Dr. Borchers! 

SUPERINTENDENT SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Janine Wilson (Fayetteville City)

The TOSS Superintendent Spotlight for November is Dr. Janine Wilson.  She has served as the Director of Schools in Fayetteville City for six years. 

Dr. Wilson's district has a very successful engineering program in the high school, which they have implemented at the middle school over the last year.  They have plans to begin implementation on the elementary level next year.  As a part of this program, the aerospace engineering students had the opportunity to visit the US Aerospace Museum in Florida recently! 

When asked what her favorite part of her job is, Dr. Wilson stated, "Without a doubt, I am motivated each time I visit a classroom and watch the teachers and students interact; each time I attend a band concert; each time I attend an athletic event; and certainly each time I assist in handing out diplomas at graduation. I am motivated by the students and their successes." 

Her favorite memory from her superintendency so far is being honored in a video produced by the high school students in her district.  Dr. Wilson said, "I will cherish it forever because sometimes we forget that our students appreciate what we do for them and what a bright future they have.  I am so proud of our system, especially the bond we have with our boys and girls." 

TOSS Lobbyist moves to Waller

TOSS is extremely proud to congratulate our lobbyist, Catie Lane Bailey, on her new position with Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis.  Catie has been such a valuable addition to the TOSS team, and we are excited for her to take this new step.  

Read more about Catie and her new role here: http://www.nashvillepost.com/business/legal/article/20841510/lobbyist-moves-from-miller-to-waller 

SUPERINTENDENT SPOTLIGHT: Sherry Darnell (Lake County)

Our Superintendent Spotlight for October is Sherry Darnell who has served as the superintendent in Lake County for nearly three years.  

Ms. Darnell was excited to talk about many new programs in her district, including a new ACT prep program, a new attendance initiative, a balanced literacy block, and embedded professional development in partnership with the Northwest Core office.  She stated, "there are so many exciting opportunities for growth this year, and I can't say enough good things about my leadership team!" 

When we asked Ms. Darnell what the best part of her job is, she said, "knowing that all employees and I are working toward the same goal each day - to truly educate, guide, and influence the students in Lake County to help become fine citizens who will be on the leadership of our school system.  I am very humbled by the love of the students."

Charles (Chuck) Cagle Receives Best Lawyer Award

TOSS Legal Counsel Charles (Chuck) Cagle has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America for 2017.  The recipients are selected by their peers and recognized in the Best Lawyers publication.  Chuck is a shareholder and chair of the Education Law and Government Relations Practice Group for Lewis Thomason's Nashville office.  

We are extremely proud and honored to work with Chuck and have him represent our organization.