Johnson County schools partner in grant

From Staff Reports

   MOUNTAIN CITY -- Beginning this spring, Johnson County Schools will be a partner in a new $22 million grant initiative targeted at improving math and science learning opportunities for students in Appalachian counties.
   "Needless to say, we are very excited about this grant's potential for students and teachers in Johnson County," said Minnie Miller, Director of Schools. "NSF grants are very competitive, and the fact that we are in a partnership that was funded means a great deal to us."
   The grant is being funded by the National Science Foundation and will span a five-year period.
   The Appalachian Math Science Partnership (AMSP) kick-off meeting was held Dec. 3 in Huntsville, Tenn., at the Scott County High School library. School system personnel who represented Johnson County included Miller, JCHS counselor Barbara Henson, JCHS teacher, Aleta Gentry, supervisor of instruction, David Timbs, and JCHS principal, Emogene South.
   Educators who attended learned of the opportunities available to their school system, teachers, students, and the community through this $22 million grant from one of the co-principal investigators, Dr. Stephen Henderson.
   In addition, Johnson County teacher, Aleta Gentry, will serve as the Tennessee teacher representative on the AMSP implementation team. Gentry currently acts as part-time science mentor for Johnson County Schools.
   "There will be many science and math inservice and workshop opportunities for our teachers over the next few years," Gentry said. "Funds will be available for summer stipends for teachers as well as funds to help teachers return to school to gain additional training in science and math."