𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒.

𝒞𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉 𝐹𝑜𝓁𝓁𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇,👨🏼‍🚒𝐖𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝑀❁𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝕠𝕗 𝑀𝒶𝒸𝓀𝑒𝓃𝓏𝒾𝑒 & 𝑅𝑒𝑒𝒹, Assistant Principal for Knox County Schools

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

#loveotherswell

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

To Every Teacher About to Begin Again…
There’s something sacred about this time of year.

The world doesn’t pause for it—but we do. We tidy up rooms, rework bulletin boards, restock our desk drawers with things no one else even notices… all for the sake of what’s coming. And what’s coming isn’t just students—it’s opportunity. It’s impact. It’s legacy.

And whether you feel ready or not, you’re about to become part of someone’s story again.

It might not be obvious at first. The kid who won’t look up. The one who sighs every time you speak. The one who walks in carrying a world you’ll never fully understand. But here’s the truth: your consistency will matter more than your content. Your tone will matter more than your title. And your presence will matter more than your perfection ever could.

Every year, I remind teachers of this: You are not the system. You are the exception to it.

You’re the one who turns test-takers into risk-takers. Who sees the child before the checklist. Who shows up—even when it feels like no one notices you do.

And if this year feels heavy, don’t forget—some kids are walking through your doors needing one adult to believe in them. Just one. Not because you have all the answers, but because you looked them in the eye and said, “I see something in you.” And meant it.

That’s the kind of teaching that outlasts standards. The kind that can’t be measured… but will never be forgotten.

So as you step into a new year, remember this:

You don’t need to be perfect. Just present.
You don’t need a magic lesson. Just a moment that makes a kid feel seen.
You don’t need to save the world. Just reach the one in front of you.

Because that’s how the world changes anyway.

Thank you—for everything you give to children who aren’t even your own. The world doesn’t thank you nearly enough. But I see you. And I’m grateful.

Let’s go make it count.

—Brad

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Recess isn’t a reward. It’s a reset.

Kids aren’t just “burning energy.”
They’re calming their nervous system.
They’re learning how to breathe again.
They’re letting go of the stress they can’t put into words.
For some kids, running is therapy.
Playing is regulation.
Movement is medicine.
Take that away, and don’t be surprised when the behavior gets worse, not better.

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

@KCSMathematics Happy Birthday Charlotte! She’s beautiful!

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

#beaproton

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

#CougarStrong

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

#bekind

[TCEA @TCEA]

Based on the meta-analysis of John Hattie. We need to be doing these 8 things in order to affect the deepest, most lasting #learning.

https://t.co/FevSoIiR4E via @MrRondot
#edutwitter #learning #k12

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

Fantastic Facilitator 📚Krista📚 + @CopperRidge1 Rock⭐️ Teachers + @KnoxSchools Literacy Vision + TN ESGs + Data = Powerful Lesson Preparation PLCs 💚💚💚#CougarStrong #Region4 @adpark3737 @CWhite_KCS @erinphillipstn @TNedu @the_rkdub @shawnsmith85

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

@CopperRidge1 anticipating another Snow Day starring @bigredmom and crew! #CougarStrong 💚💛💚💛
@KnoxSchools

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

@KnoxSchools Congrats Nate! This honor is well deserved! He is doing great things for @KnoxSchools in Region 2!

PS. Ask him for a 📖 recommendation! He’s an avid reader. #ReadersAreLeaders

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

@KnoxSocStudies and her dept do truly incredible things!
📣 Shout out to Kristin Risdahl, #Region4 Social Studies Facilitator! She is a ⭐️! Her 💛 for all things SS shines through in everything she does! Her influence is making an impact @CopperRidge1! @CWhite_KCS @adpark3737

[Knox County Schools @KnoxSchools]

Congratulations to the KCS Social Studies Department for earning the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission's Platinum Leadership Award for their work in empowering elementary students with essential financial skills! 🏆

Read more on Hall Pass: https://t.co/yjycJI39J3

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

@CopperRidge1 Grandfriends Day 2024 was a success! 💚💚💚
🎶 Shout out to our Music Teacher, Ms. Binkley, for preparing our kids!
🎨 Check out the beautiful backdrop our Art Teacher, Mrs. Kindrick, painted for photos! #cougarstrong #Region4 @CWhite_KCS @adpark3737 @shawnsmith85

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

@CheriReznicek @GladiatorGlover @DrCooperTeaches @Nicole_Resmondo I🩷🩷🩷this! @KCSScience

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

I 🩷🩷🩷 this! #talkmath #buildingthinkingclassrooms
@MathFriendAnne @KCSMathematics @HolmesShayna @pgliljedahl

[Tammy McMorrow @TammyMcMorrow]

This elementary #thinkingclassroom officially has some co-created math norms. @pgliljedahl

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

Lead by example.

[Impact @ImpactWales]

NEW - Retrieval Practice is one of the most well replicated learning strategies from research. BUT, which type of quizzing is best for which level of expertise?

Check out our sketchnote to see our suggestions. For teacher professional learning informed by research, contact us [email protected]

[Brad Weinstein @WeinsteinEdu]

Important reminder! 🙌

[𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐲, 𝐄𝐝.𝐒. @merewhaley]

It’s always a great day of learning @CopperRidge1 when the incomparable Krista Lee leads our PLCs. Lesson Internalization + Intellectual Preparation = Strong Tier 1 Instruction. #cougarstrong #Region4 #accessforall @erinphillipstn @CWhite_KCS @adpark3737 @shawnsmith85