Class Notes: New principal named for East Ridge High School, and more education news

Former Tyner Middle Academy principal, Crystal Sorrells has been named new principal of East Ridge High School. Photo courtesy of Hamilton County Schools. Contributed Photo/Times Free Press
Former Tyner Middle Academy principal, Crystal Sorrells has been named new principal of East Ridge High School. Photo courtesy of Hamilton County Schools. Contributed Photo/Times Free Press

New principal named for East Ridge High School

Current Tyner Middle Academy principal, Crystal Sorrells has been named new principal of East Ridge High School.

Sorrells will take over leadership of the school this fall. She has served as principal at Tyner Middle since 2015. She is a 20-year veteran in education and began her career as a math teacher.

At Tyner Middle, Sorrells increased opportunity and access to math, science, and technology for students, according to a press release. She helped implement the schools one-to-one laptop to student ratio and the school has earned back-to-back Level 5 designations from the state for student academic growth under Sorrells' leadership.

"I'm excited to join the Pioneer Family, and I look forward to connecting with the students, parents, staff, and community," Sorrells said in a statement. "I hope my strengths as an instructional leader, a servant leader, and an all-around community cheerleader will be a welcomed addition to the ERHS team."

Sorrells joined Hamilton County Schools in 2009 to serve as an assistant principal for the ninth grade Success Academy at Brainerd High School. She also worked at Orchard Knob Middle School before moving to Tyner Middle Academy.

Sorrells' former position at Tyner Middle will combine with Tyner Academy under the leadership of Gerald Harris, who will be named the executive principal for grades six through 12.

UTC, Vision Hospitality Group hosted hospitality immersion program for students

Recently, Vision Hospitality Group Inc. announced the successful conclusion of the second annual Hospitality Immersion Program. The Chattanooga-based hotel management and development company partnered with the Gary W. Rollins College of Business at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to host a week-long program for students interested in exploring careers in hotel management, development, event management, operations and other areas in the hospitality industry.

Eleven students were selected for the program and participated in classes including Resume and Recruiting, Housekeeping 101, Sales 101 and Life of a General Manager. The students also participated in a food and beverage challenge under the direction of award-winning chef Kevin Korman of Whitebird.

"Vision Hospitality Group has always been a great partner, and we're thrilled to work with them each year to offer this program," said Robert Dooley, dean of the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, in a statement. "I was so impressed by the quality of the student presentations and by the knowledge and skills they gained in only five days."

Three Georgia schools named Green Ribbon winners

Two of Georgia's public schools and one public university have been named 2019 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.

Robert W. Gadsden Elementary School of Savannah-Chatham County Public School, Sharon Elementary School of Forsyth County School, and Georgia College & State University were the three schools selected.

The Green Ribbon designation recognizes schools and districts that exercise a comprehensive approach to creating "green" environments by reducing environmental impact, promoting health and ensuring a high-quality environmental and outdoor education for students.

"On behalf of the Georgia Department of Education, I congratulate each of these schools for their excellent, innovative work," said Keisha Ford-Jenrette, GaDOE recognitions program manager, in a statement. "From Gadsden Elementary's partnership with Savannah State, which exposes students to agricultural sciences and careers, to the outdoor classroom at Sharon Elementary, to the campus community garden at GCSU - all of these schools are truly thinking outside the box, to the benefit of their students."

In Georgia, a partnership between the Georgia Department of Education, the Captain Planet Foundation, the Turner Foundation, the U.S. Green Building Council of Georgia, and the University System of Georgia helps schools compete for the national award.

If you have news about local schools you'd like included in Class Notes, email Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com.

Upcoming Events