Teacher Targets Blog

Lori Prather, Career & Technical Education
March 5, 2026

While we are asking students to choose a career path, we should also be encouraging them to find a way to incorporate their passions into the chosen career. Because, why can’t they be both?

Whitney Johnson, Eastside Elementary
February 24, 2026

Homework has long been a topic of discussion in education. As schedules grow busier and evenings fill quickly, many parents and educators have begun asking an important question: What role should homework play in students’ lives?

Megan Berry, Clinton High School
February 18, 2026

One of my favorite parts of being a teacher, however, happens outside the walls of my classroom. I encourage my students to contribute to both our school and our local community through service, leadership, and involvement.

Leigh Reeves Thomas, Lovett
February 10, 2026

Teaching is not merely a job for me; it is a divine calling that shapes my purpose in life. My journey as an educator began 34 years ago, and throughout these years, I have witnessed the profound impact that love, encouragement, and motivation can have on a child’s life.

Kristen Hebert, Northside Elementary
February 3, 2026

Data doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be just as simple as a daily checklist. The earlier we can provide that support the better the long-term outcomes will be and that is all supported through data.

Victoria Ramsay, Clinton Junior High School
January 27, 2026

It is very easy to get comfortable rereading the same novel every year or teaching the same lessons we have perfected. However, after 26 years in education, one thing I have learned is that, as teachers, we need to adapt to the world alongside our students.

Joseph Creel, Clinton Success Center
January 20, 2026

Many things happen that are simply out of our control. Organization helps us deal with the unexpected that is guaranteed to occur within our daily routines.

Melanie Brashier, Clinton Park
January 13, 2026

Kindergarten is sometimes the first time a child has been separated from their mom and/or dad. As both a mother and an educator, I understand just how scary and emotional the transition can be for the children and families.

Dr. Kelly Keith, Sumner Hill
January 6, 2026

Because of National Boards, I teach with more purpose, more clarity, and more confidence and it is my passion to share this experience with every teacher that I know.

The Clinton Public School District truly has some of the best teachers in the world, and our children are impacted by them in a daily basis. We can easily believe the hard work, the struggles, the triumphs, the tears, the hard times and the good times are par for the course, but that's beyond selling this place short. 

Courtney McCrory, Northside Elementary
December 9, 2025

My grandfather was an administrator and coach for many years, and my mother is a teacher. I am grateful to be following in their footsteps of  service and showing up for others.

Asia Cornelius, Eastside Elementary
December 2, 2025

Over the years, I’ve discovered that building relationships with students is at the heart of everything I do. It’s not just about getting them where they need to be academically; it’s about creating an environment where they feel seen, safe, and connected.

Jeanita Jefferson, Commander (retired), CG JROTC
November 18, 2025

After 22 years of coordinating search and rescue missions, managing emergency operations, and leading multi-agency security efforts, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about authority—it’s about connection.

Elliot Rimmer, Girls Soccer, CHS
November 11, 2025

Leadership is not about demanding that others go where you think that they should go; it’s about uplifting the vision of others to see they are capable of going farther than they ever believed, and recognizing most importantly that if we go together, we are stronger for it.

Natalie Nguyen, Kindergarten, Clinton Park
November 4, 2025

Growing up as a minority student was difficult for me without any strong role models who represented me. Representation is so important, especially at a young age. Representation in a general education classroom is vital because it builds my ESL students' confidence, exposes my remaining students to different cultures, and encourages them to learn to love and accept them. 

Connor Hart, Science, CJHS
October 28, 2025

When teachers foster positive, supportive connections with their students, they create a foundation for greater learning and engagement.

Carlos Day, 3rd Grade, Northside
October 20, 2025

During those formative years of schooling, do you recall your answer to what you wanted to do when you grew up? This question was asked often by numerous people to start the thought process of your future.

Joshua Luckett, Boys Basketball, CHS
October 14, 2025

The Arrow Hoops Preview idea came from experiences at my previous school. It was always such a fun and memorable basketball season tipoff, and I thought, “Why not bring it here to Clinton High School?” Our “Meet the Arrows” night is already a premiere event, but I wanted to elevate new efforts for the Clinton Arrows Basketball Program.

Kenya Rafferty, 5th Grade, Eastside
September 23, 2025

Being a parent changes everything. Finitely considering how my children are educated changes even more. The goal is to be ever flexible, ever growing, ever seeking new ways to engage the students of this generation with love, grace, and boundaries. 

Andrew Jones, AP History, Sumner Hill
September 16, 2025

Getting involved has never been about just checking a box. Getting involved has really helped me feel like I’m making a difference in ways that go beyond academics. I truly get to see the best in the students that take part in those clubs. 

Letitie Griffin, 1st Grade, Clinton Park Elementary
September 9, 2025

I’ve learned that attending after school activities of my students helps me build a better connection with them. It unlocks a whole new level of trust which builds a safe space for students to proudly share exciting news.

Will Harvey, Social Studies, CJHS
September 2, 2025

If your first year is going anything like my first year did, you are now all out of ideas, time, and energy. Here are a few things I wish someone had told me after I’d gotten past the first 2 months of my first year.

Kimberly Poe, Career & Technical Education, CHS
August 26, 2025

Not every student goes to college, and that’s okay! CTE programs afford our students real-world problem-solving opportunities they might not get at school otherwise.

Jo Purvis, Clinton High School
August 19, 2025

There will always be things you can’t control.Some of my best memories are those that happened during unexpected times when adjustments were made. So, I encourage you to be open to making adjustments when needed and see if there are ways you can make the good things even better.

Emma Johnson, Clinton Junior High School
August 12, 2025

During the first two weeks of school, I structure my classroom and lessons where students can discover that it is okay to make mistakes. That is how we learn. By using data to build a foundation, the plan for the school year is in place before a single student walks into my classroom and helps drive their instruction throughout the year. 

Jessica Crawley, Northside Elementary
August 5, 2025

Background knowledge is more than a quick preview before a read-aloud. It’s foundational for learning across subjects and grade levels. When students have knowledge about a topic, they’re more likely to understand and retain what they read.

By Jessica Cline, Lovett Elementary
July 29, 2025

Students can’t do their best academically if their emotions are out of control. Research shows that when students feel emotionally supported and behavior expectations are clear, they’re more focused, engaged, and motivated to learn.

By Meredith Jierski, Northside Elementary
July 22, 2025

I’ve learned that starting the year by explicitly modeling organization pays off tremendously. Many students don’t naturally know how to keep themselves organized, so it’s our job to teach them.