Scholars Academy

🎶 Our middle school orchestra students had an incredible time attending the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra! 🎻 It was an unforgettable experience filled with inspiring performances and a behind-the-scenes look at the world of professional musicians. 🎵 Special thanks to the Valdosta Symphony for hosting us!

Yesterday was a blast at Scholars Academy as students and teachers rocked their best throwback looks for Decades Day! 🎉 From groovy '70s vibes ✌️ to '90s nostalgia 💾, everyone brought their A-game and school spirit! 🕺📚

Opposite Day was a blast! 🤯 Our students rocked the teacher look, and the teachers brought out their inner students! 📚👩‍🏫👟 From professional attire to slides and hoodies, everyone had fun flipping the script. Great spirit, Scholars Academy! 🙌

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Kedist Chen-Black 🌟 With a wealth of global teaching experience, Mrs. Chen-Black has lived and worked on 5 continents! She spent over 5 years teaching English as a Second Language in Japan, earned her Master’s in Education in Australia, and worked in a small regional school in the outback of Queensland. Her journey brought her to Texas, Georgia, and now the Scholars Academy, where she’s been for the past 3 years. With 3 advanced degrees, a Gifted Education endorsement, and 5 certifications, Mrs. Chen-Black is deeply committed to education. Born in Jamaica and raised in East Africa, she has a unique international perspective. Outside the classroom, she enjoys volunteering, reading 100 books a year, and spending time with her husband, Quentyn, and their 6-year-old daughter, Diana. She treasures working with her amazing team and especially loves reconnecting with students she taught in first grade. 📚🌍

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Mrs. Joy Knop 🌟 With over 20 years of teaching experience at Jerger Elementary and the Scholars Academy, Mrs. Knop has taught everything from 1st grade to 6th-8th grade. She holds a Gifted certification and is passionate about education. Outside of the classroom, she's a dedicated mom to Levi and Lakin, and proudly goes by "Honey" to her grandchild, Lennon. Married to a Kansas cowboy who rode saddle broncs in college, she also runs the Levi Knop Memorial Scholarship foundation, organizing fundraisers to honor her son's legacy. A CrossFit Level 1 trainer, she coaches part-time at CrossFit Townie, where she enjoys lifting weights and helping others reach their fitness goals. Fun fact: she can't stand the material used in McDonald's drink holders! Teaching middle school became a new chapter after tragedy struck, but it's the incredible students and their supportive parents that keep her going every day. 💪📚

Today's 'Rhyme Without Reason' theme brought out some incredible creativity at SA!🎉 We saw everything from Mathletes and Athletes to PJs and DJs! 📊🏀🎧🛌 Our students, and teachers, really went all out with these fun and quirky combos. Well done, everyone!

❤️💛 Homecoming Week: Anything but a Bookbag Day! 💛❤️ Today, we had a blast celebrating “Anything but a Bookbag Day” for Homecoming Week! Students got creative, showing up with the most inventive and fun alternatives to their usual bookbags. From pet carriers to shopping carts and everything in between, it was fantastic to see everyone’s unique takes. 🌟👜

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Ms. Karen Daily 🌟 This is Ms. Daily's 17th year at the Scholars Academy and an impressive 30th year of teaching in Georgia! Before joining us, she taught in Dougherty County and the Pelham City School system. Originally from Ohio, Ms. Daily enjoys walking, hiking, traveling, capturing photos, and cheering on Ohio State Football! She is passionate about making a difference in her students' lives and feels grateful to work alongside such incredible teachers and administrators. We're lucky to have her on our team! 📚🍎

🖼️🖌️🎨🎼TODAY!🎼🎨🖌️🖼️

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Mr. Kelly McDougald! 🌟 Introducing Mr. McDougald, our passionate 6th-grade science teacher with 22 years of experience, including the last 10 in the Thomasville City School System. He holds a Bachelor's in Business Management from Georgia Southwestern State University, a Master's Degree from NOVA Southeastern University and a teaching certificate from Valdosta State University. Mr. McDougald has taught in Worth County and Pelham City Schools and is proud to be from Thomasville, where he graduated from TCC in 1995. A dedicated coach, Mr. McDougald has coached middle school baseball for 20 years, serving as head coach for 10 of those years. His wife, Jennifer, teaches 4th grade at Jerger Elementary, and they have three boys—Ben, Kolton, and Brooks. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, woodworking, and traveling. Fun fact: he humorously notes that as we age, gravity seems to pull harder, making us wider and shorter! Since joining the Scholars Academy, Mr. McDougald has had an incredible experience with the students, parents, and staff. We’re fortunate to have him as a part of our team! 🌟📚

Our 6th grade band students are mastering the art of effective airflow and breath support! By applying the right techniques, they managed to keep a ping pong ball spinning just by blowing through their instrument mouthpieces. Science meets music in the best way possible! 🎵🌀

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Mr. Brian Burton! 🌟 Meet Mr. Burton, our incredible Latin teacher! With years of experience teaching both German and Latin, he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for the classics. He has lived and taught in Germany and Austria, and loves sharing the rich histories of Rome, Greece, and Italy with his students. Originally from Tennessee, Mr. Burton, his wife, and their daughter Molly enjoy adventures at Disney World, gardening, bike tours, and savoring good food—especially Mexican cuisine! A fan of the German soccer league, he also has two adorable Dachshunds who add joy to his home life. Mr. Burton loves how eager and engaged our students are to learn. We’re so glad to have him on our team! 🌟📚🌟

Attention, Seniors and Parents! Mark your calendars for September 30th as we host our annual FAFSA presentation. This is a crucial opportunity for seniors to get all the information they need to apply for financial aid for college. Event Details: 📅 Date: September 30th 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 📍 Location: THS Cafeteria We are excited to have a guest speaker join us to provide expert guidance on navigating the FAFSA process. This presentation will cover important details about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), tips for completing the form, and answers to any questions you may have. Whether you're planning to attend college, a trade school, or any post-secondary education, understanding the FAFSA is a key step in securing the financial support you need. Don't miss out on this valuable event! See you there!

Ms. Rinehart, Mr. McDougald, and their incredible middle school students from the Scholars Academy took action last week, rolling up their sleeves to clean up the local park! 🌳💪 Their dedication to community service shows the true spirit of leadership and responsibility. Together, they're making a positive impact on both the environment and our community. Proud of these young scholars!

📣 Attention Juniors & Seniors! 🎓 Want to help make Prom 2024 unforgettable? 🌟 We’re looking for creative minds and enthusiastic planners to join the Prom Committee! 🎶 This is your chance to make the big night truly special. 💃🕺 If you're interested come to the meeting September 17th at 3:15 in room F-5. 💖

⭐ Staff Spotlight: Mr. Robinson! ⭐ Mr. Robinson is now in his fourth year of teaching. Born in Texas, he has called Thomasville home for most of his life. He graduated from LaGrange College with a Master's Degree in Teaching. He also had the opportunity to play college baseball for two years at Gordon State College and three years at LaGrange College, even playing for the Savannah Bananas during his time in college! ⚾️ Outside of teaching, Mr. Robinson enjoys fishing, hunting, and golfing. Married to his wife, Keri, for four years, he brings his passion for creating a fun and productive learning environment to our students every day. We’re grateful to have him on our team! Let's show some love for Mr. Robinson in the comments! 🎉👏

Seniors! 📢 Two important college meetings are happening next week! If you're interested in attending UGA or Georgia Tech, make sure you mark your calendars and plan to attend. 🏫✨ 📅 UGA Meeting: Monday, Sept. 9th 🕒 10:00 AM 📍 THS Media Center 📅 Georgia Tech Meeting: Thursday, Sept. 12th 🕒2:00 PM 📍 THS Media Center

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Mr. Robert Peterson 🌟 Meet Mr. Robert Peterson, a dedicated educator with 19 years of teaching experience! He holds a BS in Psychology from UGA, a Master's in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Specialist degree in Brain-Based Teaching and Leadership from NOVA Southeastern. 📚🎓Mr. Peterson is also the Head Boys Soccer Coach, bringing his passion for the game from his own high school and college soccer days. ⚽ He’s taught at Lithia Springs High School, Cairo High School, Colquitt County High School, and now inspires students at Thomasville Scholars Academy. Originally from the Atlanta area, Mr. Peterson is married to his wonderful wife, Jennifer, and is a proud dad to Kinley, Kyley, and Brantley. He loves to travel and embraces the unique atmosphere at Scholars, where education is truly valued by the students. We’re grateful to have Mr. Peterson’s passion and commitment to learning and sportsmanship on our team! Let’s give him a big shoutout! 🙌✨

📣 Attention: Mini Cheer Camp Families Due to inclement weather expected tomorrow night, the Mini Cheer Camp Cheerleaders will NOT perform this week (Sept. 6). Instead, we will perform during PRE-GAME on October 4th. We apologize for any inconvenience, but the safety of our little campers is our top priority. 🛡️✨ If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Louann Pilcher at 📧 pilcherl@tcitys.org. Thank you for your understanding! ❤️💛

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Mr. Darrin Minns 🌟 Introducing Mr. Darrin Minns, our amazing 8th grade math teacher at Scholars Academy! With 24 years of teaching experience in Georgia and Florida, Mr. Minns brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our classrooms. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Statistics from UCF and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from FSU. 🧮🎓Originally from Orlando, Mr. Minns has been happily married to his wonderful wife, Sherri, for 32 years. Together, they have two children and four grandchildren. In a bold adventure, Mr. Minns bought a sailboat with no prior sailing experience! His first-ever sail took him and his wife across the Gulf of Mexico, a 23-hour journey that he calls the most terrifying experience of his life! ⛵️😅 When asked what he loves about teaching at Scholars Academy, his answer is simple: "The kids—they are great!" We’re so grateful to have Mr. Minns and his adventurous spirit on our team! Let’s show him some love in the comments! 💬❤️