Class Notes: 5th annual Hamilton Sings takes place Tuesday, and more education news

Students play recorders during the Hamilton Sings concert Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 at the First Baptist Church Golden Gateway.
Students play recorders during the Hamilton Sings concert Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 at the First Baptist Church Golden Gateway.

5th annual Hamilton Sings takes place Tuesday

The fifth annual Hamilton Sings musical celebration takes place Tuesday, Oct. 22. The event offers a learning opportunity for fifth graders in Hamilton County, where they can learn music skills and interact with other students from across the district.

The students participate in learning sessions during the day led by community volunteers and teachers at First Baptist Church, followed by a free community concert in the evening.

The program grew out of an idea by two teachers - Charlene Cook, music teacher at East Ridge Elementary, and Claire Stockman, now the content lead for the arts in Hamilton County Schools, submitted through the Public Education Foundation's TeacherPreneur Incubator program.

The community concert is at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 401 Gateway Ave. It is free and open to the public.

photo Hamilton County Schools named Knox County veteran educator Lorie Collier as the new principal for Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy on Oct. 14, 2019. Photo courtesy of Hamilton County Schools. Contributed Photo/Times Free Press

New principal selected for Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy

Hamilton County Schools has named Knox County educator Lorie Collier as the new principal for Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the principal of Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy," Collier said in a statement. "I will continue to build upon the great things that are happening at the school to promote greater student success and a safe and nurturing school environment where all students can learn and grow."

Collier began her career in Union County Public Schools as a kindergarten lead teacher. After eight years, she moved to Knox County Schools and began her first leadership role as a TAP Master Teacher. In this role, she oversaw the work of early elementary teachers and analyzed student data to identify student-learning goals.

"With 18 years of experience in education, I believe that when we love the work that we are called to do, care about our students and families, and serve our communities in a positive way, we will see excellence in the school and community," Collier added.

In 2013, Collier accepted her first role in school administration as an assistant principal at West Haven Elementary in Knox County. She also served as assistant principal at Amherst Elementary School for four years. During her tenure, Amherst Elementary increased English language arts and math proficiency and earned a Level 5 in academic growth, the highest level of academic growth measured by the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System, according to a news release.

Collier earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from State University of New York, College at Buffalo, a master's degree in education from Tusculum College, an educational specialist degree in administration from Lincoln Memorial University and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Tennessee.

Child care champion visits Chambliss Center for Children

Helen Blank, the former director of child care and early learning at the National Women's Law Center, visited Chattanooga's Chambliss Center for Children last week.

Blank toured the agency's facilities and met with Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke, the city's Deputy Director of the Department of Youth and Family Development Ariel Ford and other early childhood education advocates in Chattanooga.

"Helen is the advocate's advocate. She has been my mentor for the last 25 years, and she is the person responsible for the Act for Better Child Care, now known as the Child Care and Development Block Grant," said Chambliss Center for Children's President/CEO Phil Acord in a statement. "She is seen as one of the best and most effective advocates on behalf of supporting Early Childhood Education."

For nearly four decades, Blank worked on child care and early education issues, such as Head Start and before- and after-school care, while working to fund landmark early learning legislation.

"It was also really great for our Chattanooga advocates to meet with her and hear about some of her stories and what's going on in Washington, D.C.," said Acord. "It was also nice for us to have the opportunity to express our gratitude for her hard work on behalf of all of our agencies."

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

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