• Category 3

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 73,000
    Student Enrollment: 346
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 7.5%
    White/Caucasian: 57.5%
    Hispanic: 25%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 9.5%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18.2
    % Reduced Lunch: 51.7%
    % ELL Learners: 14%
    Founded: 1950
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Richard Hutson
  • CONTACT:
    2100 Cherokee Rd
    Johnson City, TN 37604
    423-434-5281
    hutsonr@jcschools.org
Cherokee Elementary School
Johnson City, TN
"Being sensitive to student data and building strong relationships are two foundational pieces to our success."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
At Cherokee Elementary School, we are dedicated to ensuring all of our students have an opportunity to experience individual success. This means our staff continually use student data to inform and drive instruction, while utilizing available funding to support instruction with supplemental resources. These supports may look like dedicated personnel in the classroom or supplemental instructional resources to be used in concert with adopted materials. Our classroom teachers are sensitive to formative data collected in the classroom and each student's unique circumstances. We are also fortunate to have extraordinary ancillary staff in the areas of ELL and SPED who challenge our students to not only succeed but excel.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
Our teachers focus on implementing a standards-based curriculum and utilizing our formative assessment data to differentiate instruction and meet each child where they are academically. Students are challenged to read continuously and work hard to meet their quarterly goals, while at the same time we have embedded writing instruction throughout the academic day. Being sensitive to student data and building strong relationships are two foundational pieces to our success. Additionally, we provide students with opportunities for school involvement through our student leadership committee, intramural program, newspaper club, 4-H, and various other before and after school programs.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
At Cherokee, we have utilized ESEA funds to employ instructional assistants who have a dedicated time in our Kindergarten and First grade classrooms at the beginning of the day. This helps classroom teachers structure their instructional block to include both whole group and small group individualized instruction. After supporting our foundational grades, these assistants continue student engagement in grades 2-5 by both pushing into classrooms and pulling small groups of students to provide academic support and intervention. ESEA funding has also been utilized to purchase supplemental instructional resources throughout our school including technology, books for classroom libraries, and classroom supplies for intervention strategies.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Professional development opportunities have been focused on strengthening literacy, math, and writing instruction. Johnson City Schools provides a variety of PD offerings over the summer and throughout the year. Our teachers consistently attend these trainings that are hosted by our own teachers and academic coaches, while also participating in regional and national conferences. The information gleaned from these trainings was then shared at the school level during collaborative planning times and monthly faculty meetings. Teachers are able to use action plans from our TEAM evaluation process that target specific refinement areas to promote individual growth and meet regularly with academic coaches for job embedded PD opportunities.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Culturally, it is imperative that all stakeholders are not only aware of, but also involved with the decisions being made for the school. Encouraging participation is the beginning of a process that must also include affording opportunities, communicating goals and progress, and using feedback to guide decisions. Teachers and students frequently have data conferences to address both successes and opportunities to grow, which provides the student a voice in the decision making process as well.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Cherokee Elementary School is very fortunate to be a part of the Johnson City School System. Our community not only places a high value on school success, but provides many layers of support to foster this. Our school board and city leaders actively seek opportunities to elevate support for all of our schools; thereby promoting a culture of high expectations with appropriate supporting resources. We also have a very supportive parent population who appreciate both the school dedication to their child's academic success and their social and emotional growth. Additionally, at Cherokee we continually seek opportunities to partner with community businesses, organizations, and individuals to support students.
Stats
  • Category 3

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 73,000
    Student Enrollment: 346
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 7.5%
    White/Caucasian: 57.5%
    Hispanic: 25%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 9.5%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18.2
    % Reduced Lunch: 51.7%
    % ELL Learners: 14%
    Founded: 1950
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Richard Hutson
  • CONTACT:
    2100 Cherokee Rd
    Johnson City, TN 37604
    423-434-5281
    hutsonr@jcschools.org