Kaleigh Walker Community Partners, Student Success

Big Brothers Big Sisters Launches High School Mentoring Program

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee has launched an inspiring new high school mentoring program at Karns High School, pairing high school juniors with fourth graders at nearby Karns Elementary. 

The initiative is part of the organization’s growing focus on school-based mentoring, which offers consistent, one-on-one guidance in a familiar and safe environment.

While Big Brothers Big Sisters is well known for its community-based mentoring, Chief Program Officer Savannah Carter said this model reflects a national trend toward programs that happen during the school day. 

“There’s something really special about the peer connection between older and younger students—especially when it’s intentional,” Carter said. “It’s about finding shared interests, building trust, and showing up every week.”

The high school mentors—called “Bigs”—visit their “Littles” once a week for about 30 minutes, and whether they’re playing foosball, drawing, or simply talking, the time is unstructured but meaningful. 

And the impact flows both ways: Littles benefit from a consistent, positive role model, while Bigs gain leadership experience, communication skills, and something valuable to talk about in future job or college interviews.

So far, six Big-Little matches have been made at Karns, with more planned for the coming school year. The goal is for each pair to remain matched through the end of the high school student’s senior year—creating a powerful two-year bond. 

“It’s been incredible to see the high schoolers take initiative and show up at 7 a.m. because they want to be there,” Carter said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters hopes to expand this program to other Knox County schools. Interested school staff can reach out to Jennifer Davis (jdavis@tennesseebig.org) or Savannah Carter (scarter@tennesseebig.org) to learn more about bringing this opportunity to their campuses.

Success for Every Student

Knox County Schools is dedicated to Success for Every Student. All students have unique abilities, needs, personalities, and ambitions. KCS is committed to equipping every student with the individualized services, interventions, resources, and supports needed to succeed – no matter their zip code, culture, or financial resources.

Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies

Empowering Karns High Students with Leadership Thursdays

Karns High School launched an innovative initiative called Leadership Thursdays, aimed at empowering students with essential leadership skills and preparing them for success beyond the classroom.

The program was born out of a recurring observation from teachers: students were lacking in soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and self-management.

The solution? Create opportunities for students to lead.

Leadership Thursdays provide students with dedicated time to develop these abilities and step into leadership roles.

Every Thursday, the school follows a modified schedule, with a 30-minute leadership class between the first and second blocks. These classes are customized based on student interests and pathways, ensuring each student receives focused leadership development.

For junior Mya Jones, the motivational speakers have provided the most eye-opening experiences during Leadership Thursdays.

“Some of the guest speakers have shown us how to stand up for ourselves and not be scared to stand out,” Mya said. “They’ve shown me how to break out of my comfort zone and ask for help.”

Freshmen participate in sessions focused on general leadership and student success skills, including study habits and goal-setting. As a reward for their academic progress, many freshmen recently enjoyed a Popcorn and Popsicles event to celebrate students who are on track with their classes.

Leadership Thursdays also offer specialized sessions for various student groups. The Student Government Association (SGA) is working on a flagpole renovation to honor alumni who have served in the military, while student-athletes participate in a book study on The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon. DECA students focus on public speaking and competition preparation for events at local, state, and national levels.

Other groups, like Health Science students, work on leadership skills tied to their field. These students prepare for clinicals as part of their work-based learning, gaining hands-on experience in nursing and pharmacology. Culinary students practice customer service by preparing and delivering meals to staff.

For Mya, the leadership lessons extend beyond the classroom and inspired her to take action in her community. After seeing a news story about hurricane victims struggling to feed their families, Mya felt compelled to help.

“My family is about to grow to eight, so it really touched me because living in a big family, it can sometimes be a struggle to get everything you want,” Mya said. “I wanted to do something to help them.”

With the support of her teachers, Mya organized a donation drive that collected over 4,700 items including baby supplies, hygiene products, and canned food. 

“One of our recent guest speakers talked about how he went to someone he looked up to and asked for help bringing an idea to life,” she said. “I thought, ‘If he can do it, then so can I.’ I went to [Karns High Academy Coach] Ms. Brooks, and she helped me set everything up.”

Since launching the program, Karns High has already seen positive outcomes, with students like Mya stepping into leadership roles both within the school and in the community. Principal Dr. Laicee Hatfield‘s vision is for every student to graduate ready to lead, knowing who they are and how they can make an impact in the world.

“I think every school should have Leadership Thursdays because it helps students feel like they’re involved in what’s going on around them,” Mya said. 

Career Empowerment and Preparation

Knox County Schools is dedicated to Career Empowerment and Preparation. At KCS, we are committed to preparing students for graduation and life after graduation. By providing students with early and meaningful opportunities to explore colleges and careers, KCS empowers students to confidently approach their future, prepared for the three Es: employment, enrollment, or enlistment.

Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Community Partners

Karns High Artists Give Back to Karns Pre-K Through Mural

The Karns High School art department recently teamed up with Karns Pre-K to breathe new life into their building.

Spearheaded by Karns Pre-K Principal Jason Harris, the project aimed to create a welcoming atmosphere for students and parents at the school’s entrance, marking the beginning of a colorful transformation for the entire building. 

Harris envisioned a space that exuded warmth and cheerfulness, especially for the district’s youngest students and their families entering school for the first time. 

“A lot of times, a student starting in Pre-K is a family’s first interaction with Knox County Schools, and we want to make a good first impression,” he said. “I hope we can continue working throughout the school to create colorful, whimsical murals that showcase Knoxville and the Karns community on our walls.”

Recognizing the potential of his community’s artistic talents, Harris reached out to the Karns High School art department to propose a collaboration.

Kevin Gentry, the art teacher at Karns High School, organized a team of dedicated student artists who embarked on the journey to bring Harris’s vision to life. 

“The building needed some visual enhancements, especially when people first come into the lobby,” Gentry said. “I pitched the idea to our students in the National Art Honor Society because part of the purpose of that group is to serve through the arts.”

Students began brainstorming ideas in August to share with the staff at the preschool based on the initial concepts presented by Harris. 

“I drew the design digitally and sent that in to get everyone’s opinions, and then we took those critiques and made changes,” said student artist Isabella Hunt. “They wanted cartoons and children’s books. It was hard at first because we didn’t want to copy ideas or characters from books, but I think we did really well making it look cartoony and welcoming.”

The project presented a novel opportunity for the students involved, marking their first experiences working on a mural. 

“There was a really good learning curve because we’ve never done anything like this before,” said Reece Peacock, another student artist. “We had to get the proportions and colors right before we started painting. It turned out really nice for our first time.” 

The artists reflected on the significance of leaving a lasting imprint on their community, envisioning future generations marveling at the mural and reminiscing about its creation.

“I can imagine being grown up and telling my kids about how I painted the mural at their school,” Peacock said. “It’s so cool to know that people could possibly see your art every day for forever.”

The completion of the mural not only signifies the culmination of months of hard work but also heralds a new chapter in the collaborative relationship between Karns High School and Karns Pre-K, an embodiment of the Karns community spirit.

Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment, Student Success

JoAnna Brooks: A Journey through Karns High School as an 865 Academies Ambassador

Karns High School has been witnessing a transformative shift in its educational landscape through the innovative 865 Academies system, and at the heart of this change is student JoAnna Brooks. 

Brooks, a sophomore at Karns High, is making waves as an 865 Academies Ambassador, representing the Academy of Health Science and Human Services.

Choosing this Academy wasn’t a random decision for Brooks; it stemmed from her genuine interest in science, particularly in the intricacies of health and neurology. Her passion for understanding the human brain and its functions drives her academic pursuits. 

“There’s so much that goes on in the brain,” Brooks said. “Right now in my health science classes, we’re learning about different systems and how the brain functions with those systems, and I think it’s all really cool.”

Through her Academy courses, Brooks has had unique opportunities to explore various healthcare facilities, including visits to South College and UTMC.

Beyond her academic endeavors, JoAnna actively participates in extracurricular activities, including the school band and the Scholars Bowl, showcasing her diverse interests and talents. Her involvement in the Scholars Bowl reflects her penchant for intellectual challenges and problem-solving.

As an 865 Academies Ambassador, Brooks takes pride in representing her Academy and guiding prospective students through the school’s offerings. She finds fulfillment in mentoring freshmen and providing them insights into successfully navigating high school.

“It’s helped me so much to speak up and be confident in what I’m talking about,” Brooks said. “I love giving tours to the 8th-graders and helping with the pathway fairs to show the freshmen what all they can do here.”

Her parents, including her mother Mary Brooks, the Academy Coach at Karns High, provide unwavering support and encouragement, fostering an environment where her daughter feels empowered to explore her interests and aspirations freely.

“She’s a go-getter,” Mary Brooks said. “And the Academies are helping her a lot. She has changed so much from middle school to high school; I’m so proud of her.”

JoAnna’s story epitomizes the essence of the 865 Academies — a platform for students to discover their passions, pursue their aspirations, and prepare for future success. 

Through her dedication, resilience, and leadership as an 865 Academies Ambassador, JoAnna Brooks embodies the spirit of striving for success and excellence.

As JoAnna continues her academic journey, her impact as a student leader and aspiring neuroscientist will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy within the Karns High School community and beyond. 

With her unwavering determination and boundless potential, JoAnna Brooks is poised to make a significant mark in healthcare and academia.

Kaleigh Walker Student Success

MIA & Mia: Empowering the Visually Impaired and Excelling Academically

Mia Warren has a family friend who is legally blind and has to rely on sighted individuals in order to experience things as visual as a museum.

In order to help her friend Campbell Rutherford, the Karns High School senior developed the MIA Project – Museums Increasing Accessibility – to expand the possibilities for the visually impaired. Her vision was brought to life at the East Tennessee History Center (ETHC) in downtown Knoxville.

Warren developed a website where information on artifacts can be uploaded and linked through a QR code. Users scan the code to play the audio or translate the text to their language.

“The speed that Campbell listens to things is beyond anything we can understand,” Warren said. “It’s super, super fast, so we decided to do a text file so you can speed it up or slow it down to whatever pace you’d like to listen.”

It is now possible for more people than ever before to experience the ETHC with this increased accessibility, and Warren hopes to expand the program throughout Knoxville and beyond. 

Other local museums have reached out to the developer to bring the project to their locations, and she hopes to approach additional high-traffic places to deploy MIA. 

This amazing project earned Warren a Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement given within the organization, and was celebrated during the kick-off event with a proclamation to make Jan. 4, 2024, “Mia Warren Appreciation Day.”

“The whole ribbon-cutting ceremony was just insane. I was trying to not cry the whole time,” she said. “Just being able to open this program and seeing people other than Campbell using it and seeing it be successful was really, really exciting.”

The student is high-achieving beyond this incredible accomplishment. 

She has been a dedicated Girl Scout and dancer for over a dozen years, and the AP scholar has participated in the band with a sprinkling of additional clubs and commitments over the years – all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

“My friends have really pushed me a lot,” Warren said. “I have been in the same group of friends ever since middle school because we are all in honors and AP classes together, and we really push each other to work harder.”

Planning to attend the University of Tennessee to study plant genetics, she hopes to discover new ways to grow vegetation and help the planet. She shared a piece of advice for any student who hopes to pursue as much as she has while succeeding and mastering all she does: “Go beyond simple.”

Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment

Unlocking Manufacturing Opportunities: A Day with MSC

Manufacturing plays a pivotal role in shaping the economic landscape of the United States, driving innovation, and providing lucrative career opportunities – but like so many other industries, it is projected to face significant personnel shortages in the next several years.

To respond to the growing issue, MSC Industrial Supply partnered with other organizations in East Tennessee – The University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory – to host the first Manufacturing Day of its kind in our area. 

865 Academies students from Karns High School in the Automotive; Coding; Computer Science; Fire Science; Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems (MEPS); Structural Systems; and Welding pathways attended the event at the MSC Machining Research Laboratory to have a first-hand look at the cutting-edge technologies under development and experience hands-on metalworking demonstrations.

“Manufacturing typically loses out to things like computer programming, 3D printing, or robotics, and people don’t realize that all of those are manufacturing technologies,” said Senior Innovation R&D Engineer Michael Gomez. “This is a really unique way for us to show kids what manufacturing looks like and then hopefully get some of them excited and interested in it, especially if they’re interested in going to college or a community college.”

During one demonstration, a machining expert took a chunk of medal and showed the steps it takes to turn it into a hinge for an airplane door. 

“You might not understand the word ‘manufacturing,’ but you’re probably interested in jets and planes and these types of things. We showed how these things are made,” Gomez said. 

It’s partnerships like these that make the 865 Academies initiative so unique for the students in Knox County. We are preparing the next generation of manufacturers, researchers, and innovators through career-themed pathways for students to earn industry certifications and participate in internships by leveraging the world-class organizations right here in our backyard.

MSC provides valuable experiences through internships for students interested in manufacturing that offers a look into research and development in a laboratory environment.

Be on the lookout for more from MSC. Gomez said they will continue to support the 865 Academies through hosting Manufacturing Day events and providing lab internships, but he also hopes they will expand their outreach to more schools and include even more partners to build excitement for the field.

Interested in learning more about how your organization can be an 865 Academies partner? Visit knoxschools.org/academies for details.

Josh Flory 865 Academies, Career Empowerment

UT Medical Center Cultivates Future Healthcare Leaders

Photo courtesy of the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

As East Tennessee’s population grows, the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) is seeing increased demand for health care services. At the same time, UTMC leaders say they’re facing a declining interest among young people in health care careers.

Taken together, those trends are a significant factor in the organization’s support of the 865 Academies initiative, a community-driven effort to transform the high school experience in Knox County.

Knox County Schools launched the Academies initiative in the Fall of 2022, and every district high school will implement the program by 2024. Among other things, the initiative creates career-themed academies for students in grades 10-12, allowing them to participate in work-based learning, explore options for college, and create strong connections between classroom knowledge and workplace success.

At UTMC, officials say the initiative offers strong synergy with their own mission of providing health care in an academic context. Dr. Keith Gray, UTMC president, said most people think of jobs as physicians or nurses when they think about the health-care field – careers which require early planning to achieve the necessary credentials.

But the industry also includes a wide range of other opportunities, including clinical positions that don’t require a bachelor’s degree and non-clinical jobs in areas such as accounting or HR.

“It’s not like a sports team,” said Gray. “If you play baseball but you can’t throw, hit, or catch, you can’t play baseball. But you can be a health care provider or a care-delivery specialist no matter what your skills are. No matter what your interests are, you can be a part of the health care industry.”

As an industry partner for the Academies, UTMC recently hosted externships for teachers from Hardin Valley Academy and Karns High School, and visits by more schools are planned. Those experiences are designed to help educators understand career options for their students, and to see how classroom content is applied in the workplace.

In addition, UTMC used those meetings to gather feedback about how they can create engaging experiences for students in the future.

Kathy Boyd, senior vice president at UTMC, said that hosting teachers also had a positive impact on employees at the medical center.

“There were several of them who said ‘This reminds me of why I’m doing what I’m doing,’” Boyd said. “We wanted the teachers to walk away with something, but it really helped our team members as well.”

UTMC is also focused on building a workforce that reflects the diversity of East Tennessee, and sees the Academies initiative as a way to help students from underrepresented groups gain exposure to the industry.

Dr. Craig Pickett, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for UTMC, said this effort is important not only from a corporate citizenship perspective, but also from a business standpoint.

“Studies show that when you have a diverse workforce it promotes innovation, creation, and discovery,” he said. “I think we can all attest to the fact that when you have diverse voices in the room, it brings diverse thoughts, opinions, and perspectives, and helps us grow as an organization.”

And ultimately, UTMC sees the Academies initiative as a chance to build the pipeline of students who pursue a mission that is both highly challenging and highly rewarding.

Gray said health care is best understood as a calling, rather than a career: “It’s the best job in the world. There’s no greater return on investment – none. I spent 17 years in school after high school, and I’d do it all over again.”

Interested in learning more about how your organization can be an 865 Academies partner? Visit knoxschools.org/academies for details.

Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment, Student Supports

Career-Themed Academies Revealed For First Cohort Of The 865 Academies

Photo Credit: John Valentine

The first cohort of The 865 Academies revealed their new career-themed Academies at a celebration hosted by Central High School on Thursday.

The 865 Academies initiative launched in the fall of 2022, and is designed to transform the high school experience in Knox County. The goal is for every KCS graduate to be prepared for enrolling in postsecondary studies; enlisting in service to their country; or finding employment in a high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand profession, with an entrepreneurial mindset.

By establishing career-themed academies, the initiative will create small learning communities within larger schools, allowing students to participate in career exploration activities and take a deep dive into areas of interest while also building strong connections with teachers and other students.

“We’ve got to prepare students, and school systems are uniquely positioned to do that,” said Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk. “Our job is to have students prepared for when they graduate.”

The celebration was attended by community leaders and industry partners, including Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who said 865Ready graduates will ultimately benefit Knox County and East Tennessee. 

“This is just wonderful to see a really intentional, strategic effort to in some ways customize the student experience,” Jacobs said. “They get the tools and the skills that they need to excel in areas that they’re either naturally drawn to or things that they love.”

Gordon Heins, the president and chairman of the A.G. Heins Company, said industry partnerships positively impact both organizations and students. By working together, KCS students are provided valuable opportunities for work-based learning and career exploration.

“As an employer, we want students to come to us looking for good-paying jobs, and that they’re prepared, and they have the tools,” he said.

Central High School is in the first cohort of The 865 Academies, and Principal Dr. Andrew Brown said student performance in Algebra I has improved, while discipline referrals are down.”

Brown credited Freshman Seminar, a new class that focuses on helping 9th-graders identify interests, aptitudes and professional skills, adding that “we are already beginning to see great results out of that work.

CHS senior Justus Hayes was involved in the early stages of launching the Academies initiative, and is also an entrepreneur. He started his own business, Blended Clothing, and during the ceremony presented shirts to several local leaders. 

“Entrepreneurship is a very important thing to me. I love creating, and bringing new apparel and things to our generation,” Hayes said. “It has been my honor to help build and show my support for something that will impact our current and future generations.”

Student Ambassadors from each school presented their new Academies alongside their principals. Below are the Academies for the first cohort.

 

Carter High School and South-Doyle High School will be joining The 865 Academies as the second cohort in the fall.

For more information on The 865 Academies, visit knoxschools.org/academies.

KCS Hall Pass 865 Academies, Career Empowerment, Community Partners, Student Success

Iron Chef Competition Provides Hands-On Training

Culinary students from Karns High School participated in an “Iron Chef” competition on Oct. 19, an event that also provided hands-on training for students from the school’s A/V Production class.

On a recent Wednesday morning, students from Karns High School gathered in the school’s commercial kitchen as teacher Jacob Neblett gave a countdown: “Your time starts NOW!”

With that cue, a flurry of activity began as two groups of students opened packets of military-style MREs and rushed through the kitchen to gather additional ingredients.

The occasion was an Iron Chef-style competition at Karns, which was sponsored by the Tennessee Army National Guard and that offered hands-on training for students in the Culinary and A/V Production programs.

Students were challenged to transform the MREs – or “meals-ready-to-eat” – into a culinary creation by using the secret ingredients in the packets along with fresh ingredients from the kitchen. As they worked, Neblett offered advice and guidance, at one point reminding them to “Always be tasting, always be plating!”

At the same time, students from teacher Chris Wade’s A/V Production class gathered video, photos and interviews, which will be used in digital media content promoting the school.

The competition also served as a recruiting tool for 9th-grade students from the KHS Freshman Seminar, who watched from one end of the kitchen and got a pitch from Neblett that emphasized the hands-on, high-energy vibe in his classes.

The event parallels the goals of the district’s “865 Academies” initiative, which aims to provide strong connections between classroom knowledge and workplace success. Launched with support from Knox Education Foundation, the initiative’s ultimate goal is to make students “865 Ready” for college enrollment, enlistment in service to their country, or employment in a high-wage, high-demand field.

Julie Langley, the academy coach at Karns, said the culinary program aims to give students a vision for entrepreneurial career options, including work as chefs, restaurateurs or caterers.

“We want students to be able to imagine themselves in a high-paying, high-demand field,” said Langley. “We’re not trying to turn out food-service workers, we’re trying to emphasize the ‘art’ in Culinary Arts, or the entrepreneurship of Culinary Arts.”

As participants energetically stirred sauces, shot video and chopped vegetables, the appeal of a hands-on class was apparent. And when the winning dish was announced — taquitos with homemade tortillas, and fried churros with chili chocolate sauce — the room erupted in cheers.

Haley Matthews, a 9th-grader who observed the competition during her Freshman Seminar, said she enjoyed watching students work together as a team, adding that she thinks culinary arts “would be a cool class in high school.”

The event had the frenzied feel of a cooking competition on the Food Network, and Wade said his long-term goal is for A/V Production students to produce a full-length show similar to “Iron Chef” or “Chopped”.

In the meantime, the content they produce is providing valuable experience. The video production industry has a robust presence in East Tennessee, and Wade said there is strong demand for employees including production assistants, camera operators and lighting directors.

And even before they graduate, the participation in dynamic, work-based learning helps to promote student engagement.

“Getting to see the advanced students do all that cool stuff, that’s just a great way to get younger students excited about coming to school,” Wade added.

 

Culinary teacher Jacob Neblett told freshmen that his Culinary Arts class is ideal for students who enjoy a high-energy, fast-paced environment.
KCS Hall Pass Student Success

Twin Sisters Share Academic Honors At Karns

Jeanne Seibel (left) and her twin sister, Emily, will be honored as co-valedictorians when the Karns High Class of 2022 graduates on May 27.

Jeanne and Emily Seibel grew up singing together in church, they’ve performed in musical theater productions together at Karns High School and in the fall they’ll attend Freed-Hardeman University together.

  • But before starting the next chapter of their lives, the fraternal twins will be honored together as co-valedictorians of the Karns High Class of 2022!

The achievement caps a stellar academic career for the sisters, who said they have always been best friends even though they aren’t exactly alike.

  • Emily Seibel has an aptitude for math and plans to major in the subject at Freed-Hardeman, while Jeanne Seibel was more inclined toward science and plans to pursue a career in physical therapy. 

And while both are efficient, they agreed that Emily’s highly organized approach to tasks – “I’m a total perfectionist” – is a contrast to Jeanne’s more laid-back style.

“We help to bring out each other’s strengths and we complement each other in a lot of ways,” Jeanne said.

“Hopefully we cover up each others’ weaknesses too when we can,” Emily added.

Karns principal Brad Corum said that while the sisters are competitive they also cheer for each other, and described them as good ambassadors for their school.

  • “They’ve always been very good students and more importantly than that, they’re great people,” Corum said.

Emily and Jeanne Seibel, pictured holding childhood photos, said they have always been best friends.