With more than 1,300 kids enrolled in Unit 5 schools and 230 total staff, Carmi-White County school administrators say they’re off to a great start. Superintendent Jarrod Newell introduced building administrators at Kiwanis Thursday and those leaders in turn introduced new teachers at the weekly gathering. Newell says Unit 5 is built different and the community is what makes the difference.
The community of Carmi and the blessing that it provides in making sure that everybody has what they need has always been what sets this place apart. It’s full of great people and we’re appreciative of everything that happens that goes to support our programs, our kids, our staff, and our entire school system.
Half of the district’s new teachers this year are Bulldog alums themselves. Olivia Ledford is a new first grade teacher at Lincoln. Tyler Hoskins, a 2019 graduate is back as a teacher and a football coach. Cole Carter is not only the voice of the Bulldogs on radio and WRUL Sports on YouTube, but he joins the high school staff as a business, technology, and media educator. Julia Smith, another 2019 graduate joins the high school as an Algebra I & II teacher. Those four are joined by Presley Hillyard, K-5 Music teacher, Carla Bridges, math and science at the Jr High, Joe Kassebaum, science, and Michelle Keepes who joins the high school after teaching at Lawrenceville.
Principals discussed some of their additional duties as well. Amy Atteberry, in addition to leading the team at Lincoln is the curriculum director and says staff spent quite a bit of time this summer updating how educators teach reading.
We are kind of changing our philosophy on the way to teach kids [how to read] and I’m really excited about that. Teachers through 8th grade spent a week this summer getting the newest techniques backed by the latest brain research. So I’m really excited about that. The district was dedicated in teaching kids the best way to read so hopefully we’ll continue to see growth in that area.
Lacey Moore at Jefferson also serves the district as the grant writer and she says things are going well on that front. In addition to a pilot program that has helped fund a year long mentor program for new to the profession teachers for an additional year, Moore says the district received a Stronger Connections grant amounting to $95,000 which is designed to assist in mental health areas, a growing need for schools across the country.
Bart King takes on vocational efforts in addition to navigating the high school. In addition to the SIC and Absher Foundation backed Building & Trades program and CAN program, King says there have been more dual credit courses. There are 11 students enrolled in Building & Trades. Eight high schoolers are enrolled in the CNA program.
You can keep up with the school by visiting https://www.carmischools.org/ or by downloading the app. 
