Kaleigh Walker Student Success

Quarterly Data Days Improve Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

At Knox County Schools, students with disabilities are benefiting from a districtwide initiative known as Data Days — a structured, quarterly review of academic and behavioral progress for more than 8,000 special education students.

The program began three years ago under the leadership of Dr. Karen Loy, Executive Director of Special Education. 

Drawing from her background as a school principal, Dr. Loy emphasized the importance of tracking progress regularly — not just at the end of the year.

“You can’t wait until the school year ends to see how you did,” Dr. Loy said. “Data Days give us a real-time view of how our students are progressing in reading, math, discipline, and more.”

Initially focused on required state performance indicators (APRs), the initiative has evolved into a comprehensive review system. 

Using a massive, filterable spreadsheet created by the district’s Research, Evaluation, and Assessment (REA) team, the special education department reviews individual student data four times a year. 

The data is broken down by region, school, teacher, and even individual interventions, allowing staff to identify students or trends that need attention.

What makes Data Days unique is the coaching-driven approach. 

If a student isn’t making adequate progress, the conversation starts at the teacher level, with support from facilitators and, when needed, school administrators. 

It’s not punitive — it’s collaborative.

“Our goal is to figure out what’s not working and support our teachers in solving it,” Dr. Loy explained. “Sometimes it’s a matter of scheduling — like realizing a 45-minute intervention was only getting 30 minutes. That’s a fixable problem.”

The initiative has grown to include high school course failures, graduation tracking, and benchmark data to assess readiness for state tests. It also provides professional development for staff and helps build capacity across the district.

As a result, students are getting more tailored support, teachers are receiving better tools and feedback, and schools are developing stronger systems of intervention. 

In fact, other large districts have taken notice — asking Knox County to share its approach.

“Looking at 8,000 students every quarter is a big task,” said Dr. Loy, “but it’s worth it. We’re making sure every student is seen.”

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 Student Success

Introducing Knox County Schools’ New Preschool Parent Liaison

This school year, Knox County Schools welcomed a brand-new position designed to support families with young learners: the Preschool Parent Liaison. 

Jenny Reed, Preschool Special Education Facilitator & Parent Liaison, serves in this critical role to help families navigate special education preschool services and the transition to kindergarten.

Recognizing the need for early intervention and strong family connections, this position was created to provide support for families of preschool-age students.

Working closely with the Child Find team, Jenny helps families transitioning from Tennessee Early Intervention Services (TEIS) for students aged birth to three. 

She supports families as their students turn three, explaining the school system’s evaluation process, assisting with eligibility and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, and ensuring that families understand their options for continued services.

“One of the most important parts of my job is making sure families feel comfortable and informed,” Jenny shared. “The transition to preschool can feel overwhelming, and I’m here to guide them through every step of the process.”

Jenny’s role extends beyond meetings. She organizes and facilitates trainings for families, offering strategies to support their student’s behavior, communication, and independence at home. 

She also sends monthly newsletters to families, packed with resources, upcoming training dates, and tips for navigating early education services. Last fall alone, Jenny facilitated over 100 family meetings and supported over 50 families with eligibility and IEP processes.

“I want families to know they are not alone,” Jenny emphasized. “We’re here to partner with them and ensure their students have the best start possible.”

Upcoming events include:

  • Ready, Set, Kindergarten: A Parent’s Guide to a Smooth Transition on January 23, 5-6:30 p.m. at Cedar Bluff Elementary. Open to kindergarten-eligible students, this session covers transition tips, a typical kindergarten day, and strategies to prepare students socially, emotionally, and academically. Sign up here!
  • A Spanish-language version of this session will be held on February 13. Sign up here!
  • Adapted More Than Words: The Hanen Program for Parents of Autistic Children or Children Who May Benefit from Social Communication Support offered via Telepractice, a program focused on building communication skills for autistic students, will offer five online group sessions and two one-on-one video feedback sessions this spring.

Families can reach out to Jenny Reed with questions at 865-594-1530 or jenny.reed@knoxschools.org.

Together, let’s empower families and set our youngest learners up for success!

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 Great Educators, Student Success

The Unbreakable Bond Between Fort Sanders Teachers Connie Mitchell and Mike Hale

For over 30 years, Connie Mitchell and Mike Hale have shared a classroom, a passion for teaching, and a remarkable partnership at Fort Sanders Educational Development Center. Their journey together has touched countless lives, creating a warm and nurturing environment for their students, many of whom face significant challenges.

Connie and Mike first crossed paths in the 1990s and quickly developed a bond that has defined their careers. As Connie explains, their complementary personalities are key to their successful partnership.

“He’s more introverted, and I’m extroverted,” Connie said. “That’s why this works.”

In the classroom, the duo has worked with students who are considered medically fragile and require specialized care. Many of their students face physical and developmental challenges, but that hasn’t stopped the team from celebrating every milestone. 

Throughout their career, they’ve helped students make remarkable strides, from learning to walk to becoming more independent in daily tasks. 

“We had a student who could only take a couple of steps. In about a year and a half, he was running down the halls. He made such progress,” Connie recalled, illustrating the profound impact on their students’ lives.

Their commitment to students and their families is unwavering and extends far beyond the school walls. They’ve accompanied students to the hospital and supported families through difficult times. 

“I’ve walked into a hospital room with a kid in a coma, and they’ve actually opened their eyes and tried to smile at me,” Connie shared. “I just bawl–I’m Niagara Falls in those moments.”

Jessica Schaefer Ruiz has been part of Fort Sanders for eight years – her children attended as students, and she currently serves as principal. She recalled the first time she witnessed the duo in action. During a holiday performance, she watched as Connie and Mike spun students in wheelchairs to “Jingle Bells,” making sure they were fully included in the festivities.

“They are so impactful,” Schaefer Ruiz said. “Even with the amount of heartache they’ve endured over the years, they are still as cheerful as they were eight years ago when I first saw them in action.”

Over the decades, Connie and Mike have built not only an effective classroom but also deep, lasting relationships with students, families, and coworkers. The team keeps an open, welcoming environment, complete with coffee, snacks, and PB&J sandwiches available for anyone who needs them.

Mike joked, “We should put in a revolving door.”

Their classroom is more than a place of learning–it’s a home and a family. Together, Connie and Mike have created a legacy of love and care, shaping the lives of students and families through kindness and dedication.

Great Educators in Every School

Great educators are core to the mission of KCS. By investing in meaningful professional development and growth opportunities, and pursuing innovative strategies to retain and recruit high-quality educators, KCS is positioning great educators in every classroom.

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 Student Supports

The Vital Role of School Psychologists

Schools are full of professionals who work tirelessly to promote the success of each student. Educators, food service workers, administrative assistants, educational support personnel, and so many more. An additional–and equally essential–part of the team is the school psychologist.

Their jobs can be summarized into one, all-encompassing descriptor: collaborators.

“We work directly with students, teachers, admin, parents, or other stakeholders to identify ways we can provide additional supports for kids that need some help,” said Rachel Scott, a lead school psychologist who works at Northwest Middle, West High, Paul Kelley Volunteer Academy, and the Richard L. Bean Juvenille Detention Center. 

Scott sheds light on the multifaceted nature of her role. Direct interactions with students, consultations with educators, meetings with various stakeholders, and mentoring colleagues punctuate her routine. 

Whether conducting assessments, supporting discussions during various collaborative school-based meeting, or consulting with colleagues, every action serves a singular purpose: to nurture the academic and emotional well-being of students. 

Scott’s passion for her job shines through as she reflects on the variety and challenges it entails, emphasizing the profound impact it has on the lives of young learners.

“A large part of the job is advocating for students from a position of knowledge, and also making sure to show empathy and compassion for everyone at the table,” she said. “We’re all here for the same reason: to help students access and achieve academic success.”

Brittany Williams Jaynes, another dedicated school psychologist at Karns Preschool, Fair Garden Family Center, Karns Elementary, and Mill Creek Elementary, echoes Scott’s sentiments, highlighting the collaborative nature of their work. 

In her role, Williams Jaynes navigates a spectrum of responsibilities, from conducting evaluations to spearheading initiatives aimed at supporting students’ behavioral and mental health.

“It’s a great job because no two days are the same,” Williams Jaynes said. “And it’s so neat to see the students that maybe needed extra academic or social support and just how much they’ve grown by the time they head off to middle school.”

Beyond evaluations and consultations, school psychologists like Williams Jaynes embrace innovative approaches to student support. 

In collaboration with a Karns Elementary counselor, Williams Jaynes hosts the “Lunch Bunch,” a weekly social group for students on the autism spectrum.

These initiatives not only nurture students’ well-being but also create a sense of belonging and inclusivity within the school community.

“We invite peer models to eat with us and the students, and there were some friendships that grew for kids that struggled in that area,”  Williams Jaynes said.

Scott and Williams Jaynes’ narratives draw attention to the profound impact of school psychologists on student success and well-being. 

As advocates, assessors, and allies, these professionals play a pivotal role in creating nurturing environments where every student can thrive. 

Kaleigh Walker Student Supports

Educational Triumphs at Home: Transforming Learning & Embracing Challenges with KCS Homebound

Orin Heatherly is part of the Knox County Schools family, but his day may look a little different compared to his peers. 

As a Homebound student, Heatherly receives instruction from his dedicated teacher, Donna Klarich, at home.

“Working with Orin has been a deeply rewarding journey that goes beyond traditional education,” Klarich said. “It’s about embracing unique challenges and joys, fostering academic growth, and celebrating personal achievements–fulfilling my role as a dedicated educator and member of their family.”

The KCS Homebound team supports students who, due to medical or other reasons, cannot attend their base school. They stand out as a beacon of consistency for these students and their families.

Support is provided virtually or in person at home or even in the hospital, and the time spent with the Homebound teacher is sometimes the only normal part of their week. 

“Homebound has helped him in so many ways,” said Heatherly’s mom, Amy. “He is more aware of how to perform daily activities, and it has helped me to learn how to teach him effectively since I can participate in his education.”

And then there’s Celeste Cristelous, a Homebound teacher with almost 20 years of experience, specializing in working with students diagnosed with cancer. 

“We step into the lives of our students during some of their roughest times, making their days brighter and meeting their greatest needs, whether educational or emotional,” she shares.

While students are going through different stages of their treatment, their educators also adjust their style of teaching. Cristelous said that “what works after surgery does not work during chemotherapy, and what works during chemotherapy does not work during radiation.”

But what does Homebound instruction look like in practice?

Think individualized learning plans tailored to each student’s health condition, learning style, and academic requirements. Imagine flexibility in scheduling that accommodates varied rest periods or medical treatments. Envision qualified and licensed instructors dedicated to adapting to diverse learning needs and environments.

Communication is key, with Homebound teachers providing regular updates and maintaining open channels to ensure everyone involved is on the same page, and integration with the school curriculum is a priority. When the time comes, the students can experience a seamless return to school.

It’s not just about the academics; Homebound teachers recognize the social and emotional challenges students may face and offer the necessary support. Collaboration with healthcare professionals and student support services is essential for success, and building community understanding contributes to a positive, inclusive learning environment.

KCS Homebound allows education to transcend the ordinary, and every student’s journey can be a story of triumph.

To learn more about Homebound and how we can serve you and your family, please contact any members of the team.

Daphne Odom (daphne.odom@knoxschools.org)

Mendy Williams (mendy.williams@knoxschools.org)

Megan Greene (megan.greene@knoxschools.org)

KCS Hall Pass Student Supports

Compassionately Navigating Specialized Transport: The Role of KCS Special Education Transportation

Suzanne Clapp’s daughter, a middle school student, commutes to school just like her peers. For seven years, the Special Education Transportation Team has made sure that her unique needs don’t keep her from riding the same buses as 20,000 other students across the district. 

Clapp’s daughter is just one of the 2,000 special needs students benefiting from the work and expertise of the SPED Transportation Team. 

The Team — which includes licensed physical and occupational therapists, a Special Education Supervisor, and a Transportation Router — collaborates with nursing, speech, and behavioral specialists to facilitate the safest, most appropriate transport of special needs students to and from school every day. 

Though Clapp recognizes the Team’s obvious expertise, she values the Team’s acknowledgment of the unique challenges families face in understanding and meeting their child’s specific needs.

“As parents, we are deeply immersed in our child’s needs,” said Clapp. “Maybe they struggle–to varying degrees–with mobility, behavior, or communication. Some are non-verbal and most probably don’t understand bus safety rules. While we want our children to have the same school experience as their peers, there can be a lot of stress involved in that.”

That’s why the SPED Transportation Team encourages family involvement in the process of evaluating and arranging these services and prioritizes understanding each child’s individual safety needs.

“Wheelchairs are as unique as the children who use them and each one must be secured in a specific way to be safely transported,” Clapp explains. “Researching all those specific requirements and protocols is time consuming and, honestly, tedious, but the Transportation Team ensures every child is fitted correctly in the right chair and that every chair is secured properly.”

The team also provides Child Passenger Safety training to school-based staff throughout the district for those who either ride the bus with students or participate in the transportation process. Additionally, they complete trainings for approximately 160 special education bus drivers, 40 shuttle drivers, and contractors. 

The group also completes specific training modules. Several members hold Child Passenger Safety Certifications with Safe Travel for all Children endorsements. The endorsement is specific to the Child Passenger Safety Certification.

These hands-on training sessions include the proper use of individual safety devices, loading and unloading, the securement of wheelchairs, behavior strategies, and evacuation techniques.

Emphasizing the district’s commitment to providing every student with a quality, free, and appropriate education, KCS Director of Transportation Ryan Dillingham commends the Special Education Transportation Team for their efforts, saying: “The SPED Transportation Team works incredibly hard to make sure the complexity of a student’s needs doesn’t impact their ability to get to school in the same way as their traditionally educated peers.”

For more information on Special Education Transportation, please contact Ryan Dillingham (ryan.dillingham@knoxschools.org) or Lauren Mays (lauren.mays@knoxschools.org).

Kaleigh Walker 865 Academies, Career Empowerment, Student Success

Engineering Compassion: 865 Academies Students Repair Adaptive Toys for Special Learners

A dinosaur roar is a common sound in Connie Mithcell’s classroom at Fort Sanders Educational Development Center, where she works with two extraordinary students, Dino and Aiden, who both require total care, are non-verbal, and have low vision. 

Despite being medically fragile, Dino and Aiden share the same love for play as their peers — especially drums, sound toys, and roaring toy dinosaurs — their favorite. 

To make this possible, Aiden and Dino’s toys are adapted to suit their abilities — typically equipped with large buttons, arms, or switches that allow them to activate the sounds, motion, and other multi-sensory experiences.

“Adaptive toys and musical instruments provide unique learners a better chance to experience the joys other children in traditional classrooms do,” Mitchell said. “Even if they can’t hold or grasp a drumstick, they can play the drums like other students with the push of a button.”

According to Special Education Supervisor Shelli Eberle, adaptive toys play a vital role in facilitating communication and learning for students like Dino and Aiden.

“Using highly-engaging, brightly-colored, noisy switch toys, allows us to offer a full sensory experience, regardless of a student’s skill or ability,” she said. “It’s a crucial element of their education.”

But, like any well-loved play thing, these adaptable toys sometimes break and have to be thrown in trash or put away until they can be fixed.

L&N STEM Academy math teacher Brooke Carter knew fixing broken toys was something her Physics, Mechanics, and Engineering School sophomores could do. It was a creative and challenging task perfectly suited for a class service project. 

“Some kids learned new skills through this project, and others were able to practice things they had already learned in class,” Carter said. 

During the evaluation process, students worked together to identify malfunctions and devise repair solutions. 

“It was pretty obvious what was wrong with some of the toys,” said student Kenzie Self. “But for some, we had to test out their circuits and other functions. We even had to remove some of the fur on one toy so a broken arm could be soldered back on.”

“Normally when we make something, it gets taken apart to be used for something else,” reflected student William Bieber. “Repairing these toys felt like recycling – giving them a new life.”

“The whole giving-back aspect was really cool because it puts a bigger sense of meaning into it,” said L&N STEM student Vivienne Ratner. “It’s nice to do something for someone else and have fun doing it.”

This kind of hands-on learning is exactly what The 865 Academies are designed to provide. Thanks to a little creative problem-solving, Dino and Aiden’s dinosaurs weren’t the only things roaring back to life. When all was said and done, the students successfully repaired 10 toys to return to Fort Sanders EDC.

Both schools plan to continue their partnership, and expand it to help more schools across the district.

Kaleigh Walker Community Partners, Student Success

Team Helps Students With Disabilities Transition To Life After High School

Students with disabilities and their families often face a similar issue: how to navigate life after high school.

This issue is one Melissa Callahan, Shelly Fordgrotkopt, and Michelle Pittman aim to answer. They work with the Transition School to Work (TSW) grant that provides pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities. 

“This grant specifically focuses on students with disabilities, and we know that the adult world and navigating life are hard for anybody,” Pittman said. “These kinds of sessions are really key in helping individuals really figure out themselves and overcome their barriers.”

The team teaches skills in job exploration, workplace readiness, and self-advocacy. They host Transition Tuesdays to educate and provide valuable resources to families and staff for students preparing for life after high school, and a Transition Fair that brings together their community partners as a “one-stop shop” for resources.

“Being a resource is so important because their students are going to leave a system that’s taken care of them for a really long time,” Fordgrotkopt said. “We really see partnering with community resources as filling a gap for parents.”

Their dedication to their students and years of hard work received recognition from a well-known partner.

Knoxville’s disABILITY Resource Center awarded them the 2023 Spirit of ADA Community Service Provider Award. 

“We’re so honored. It’s really nice to be recognized by your peers in the community,” Fordgrotkopt said. “I think that just makes us feel really appreciated.”

The recognition only serves as encouragement to do more for their students.

Callahan stated: “The affirmation and just knowing how important the resources are for the students and the parents and the collaboration just pushes us to continue to offer more of that to parents and students. It’s such an important piece of what we do.”

To learn more about the TSW grant or Transition Tuesdays, find community resources, and see upcoming events, visit knoxschools.org/specialeducation.