Principal: Deborah Kenyon

Amount of time as principal: First year

Grades: 6-12

Total number of students: 425

Total number of teachers: 23

Total number of support staff: 13

New Programs: “Tanner High School is a pipeline school with the A+ College Ready program. All of our teachers attended E3 (Equip, Empower, Expect More) training this summer, learning new instructional strategies and how to use resources to create a culture of high academic expectations. We believe in the Limestone County motto, ‘All Kids Can.’ We are offering Advanced Placement 11th grade English language arts, AP U.S. history and AP computer discoveries this year.

We have also added a SREB (Southern Regional Education Board) literacy program. Two teachers attended a weeklong training this summer so that we could provide a ‘Ready for High School Literacy’ course and a ‘Ready for College Literacy’ course. These courses are helping students be better prepared for high school and college level courses and strengthen their skills with nonfiction texts.

We will also offer expanded electives, including a Spanish for sixth-grade students, and we have expanded our high school elective courses to include classes such as forensic science, drama and contemporary issues for our high school students. We have made additions to the career center, where we are creating a career center for our high school students. This area will have college, technical, military and career materials for high school students. It will also have computers for students so that they will be able to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and scholarships. A variety of college, job and military representatives will be available throughout the year in this area to meet with students and help them plan for their future. We will also offer ACT online prep, which is available for all students grades 9-12 as an added resource to help them prepare for the ACT. We will also host several Saturday ACT prep days throughout the year for students. We will also have more clubs and organizations such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) club, BETA Club, FFA, FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), student government and Scholar’s Bowl, along with a new Peer Helper’s program. Students selected for the Peer Helper’s program will be trained in the following skills: attending, empathizing, summarizing, questioning, genuineness, assertiveness, confrontation, problem-solving, conflict resolution and confidentiality that assist them in meeting the needs of their fellow students. We are also bringing back the Parent Teacher Organization for this year and are excited to bring another level of community and parent involvement into the school.”

What makes Tanner High special: “Tanner High School is a community school, rich in history and tradition. As a small school, we have the ability to be very active in our students’ goals toward success, and work with parents and the community to provide opportunities so they can achieve their goals.”

Primary objectives for 2018-2019: “Creating a culture of learning and growth for our students, staff and faculty, and improving our reading and math scores. It takes everyone working as a team to build a successful learning environment. We have put many resources into place. Teachers and administrators have attended many trainings over the summer to ensure we are providing a challenging curriculum that will prepare our students for their future.”

What is the principal looking forward to: “I look forward to growth both academically and within the community. Every day is a new day. I want our students to be empowered to strive for excellence every day — not perfection, but growth. We want them to be lifelong learners and be successful, here at Tanner and in everything they pursue. We have wonderful students. When students stop me in the hall to show me their progress and exhibit excitement in their achievements, I know we are building a culture of learning.”