Germantown Municipal School District Magazine 2023

On behalf of the Germantown Board of Education, I hope you are all as excited as I am for the start of a new school year! As we embark on a new term, I want to take a moment to re�lect on the incredible achievements of our GMSD schools and share some exciting updates with our community members.

Last year was nothing short of remarkable, with our students shining brightly in early literacy and ACT scores. GMSD leads the state with a district average ACT score of 24.5. We also hold the number one spot in the state for foundational literacy outcomes on state assessments. Dedication and hard work by our students, along with the unwavering support of our teachers and parents, have made these achievements possible.

I'm delighted to share some exciting updates about our facilities. The additions and improvements at Houston Middle School have created a wonderful environment for our students to excel in academics while exploring their passions. Moreover, the state-of-the-art so�ball complex stands as a testament to our commitment to providing top-notch facilities for both our schools and the wider community to enjoy.

Looking ahead, we have more incredible plans in store. This year, our Germantown Board of Education will debut its Houston High School Master Plan to the community. Hundreds of stakeholders played a role in reimagining our high school campus, and I am thrilled to share it with you.

At GMSD, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for all our students. Our theme for this year, "GMSD in Focus," re�lects our commitment to fostering personal excellence in every aspect of our students' lives. Whether it's academics, arts, services or athletics, we want each individual to shine and thrive.

To further support our students' success, we o�fer an impressive array of 28 AP (Advanced Placement) and 17 DE (Dual Enrollment) courses along with countless career technology opportunities. These rigorous o�ferings empower our students to challenge themselves and earn postsecondary credit in order to be more prepared to achieve their goals beyond high school.

As we step into the new school year, I want to extend my gratitude to our exceptional GMSD sta�f. Their hard work over the summer, collaborating in small teams, will ensure that every student receives the individualized attention and support they deserve.

We are committed to keeping you informed about the many achievements and activities happening at GMSD. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay up-to-date: https://www.gmsdk12.org/apps/pages/ gmsdinfocus.

Together, we will make this year even more beautiful and rewarding than the last. We remain focused on what matters most — our children.

— Superintendent Jason Manuel

Board of Education is proud to serve GMSD. We believe in the excellence of our school system and the leadership of our superintendent and faculty.

Top row, left to right: Chairman Ryan Strain, Daniel Chatham, Brian Curry.

Bottom row: Amy Eoff, Angela Griffith.

Houston Grads are going places

GMSD graduates are going places. We believe when students receive an excellent education, they’re able to reach their full potential. The Class of 2023 is a case in point. Our students excel. They’ve earned prestigious academic awards and garnered more than $39 million in scholarships. Our students

are diverse. They re�lect our region, both demographically and socioeconomically. Our students are prepared. Their pathways will take them to colleges and universities as well as technical schools and the professional world.

The academic readiness of our graduates re�lects the enduring dedication

of our faculty: a multitude of teachers, specialists, coaches and counselors whose diligence and encouragement have helped students achieve their goals. It requires leadership, team work and a commitment to inspiring personal excellence. That is what GMSD is all about. We’re proud to be shaping the leaders of tomorrow. �

Houston High Graduating Class of 2023...

→ Accepted to 77 public & private colleges

→ Earned scholarships totaling more than $39 million

→ Included 2 Presidential Scholar Semifinalists

→ Included 8 National Merit Finalists & 8 National Merit Commended

→ Included 3 students who were accepted to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy

EDITOR

Jane Schneider

ART DIRECTOR

Carrie Beasley …

SUPERINTENDENT

Jason Manuel

GERMANTOWN BOARD OF EDUCATION

Daniel Chatham, Brian Curry, Amy Eo�f, Angela Grif�th, Ryan Strain / Chair

COMMUNICATIONS

Kate Crowder

COVER PHOTO

Steve Scaramastro

PHOTOGRAPHY

Brandon Dill, Larry Kuzniewski. Photos provided by GMSD …

GMSD Magazine is published by Creative Content by CMI, subsidiary of Contemporary Media, Inc., P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101, in conjunction with the Germantown Municipal School District. ©2023. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part of any of the materials contained herein without the expressed written consent of Creative Content by CMI is prohibited. For more information, go to contemporary-media.com/ creative-content-by-cmi.

PHOTOS: WHITE, BOUCHER, AND WAGNER BY BRANDON DILL

Welcome to GMSD OVERVIEW

Germantown Municipal School District (GMSD) has a long history of academic excellence. We are proud to lead one of the strongest school districts in the state. Our elementary schools boast some of the state’s highest literacy scores. We also lead the Mid-South in ACT outcomes, with a district average of 24.5.

We continue our tradition of athletic excellence. We hold 106 state championships. Out of the 17 sports o�fered at Houston High School, we have been nationally recognized in boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, baseball, cheer and pom.

As a school system, we are committed to continuous improvement. Over the past decade, this has led to innovative school additions, the expansion of curriculum o�ferings that support new state standards, and we routinely provide professional development for our teachers and sta�f. We are dedicated to inspiring personal excellence in all facets of education.

Good Stewards

What’s more, we are good stewards

of our tax dollars. GMSD consistently invests more than 80 percent of its annual operating budget directly into the classroom. One way we’ve done this is by being an early adopter of 1:1 technology, a commitment we made back in 2014. As part of our district’s pledge to 21st-century learning, GMSD has long provided computers for classroom use. This means iPads for students grades K-2 and Chromebooks for students grades 3-12. One-to-one programs enable teachers to use interactive technology tools to better help students learn and to facilitate online learning in the classroom. Since some of those devices go home with students, technology assistance is available to parents via our tech support sta�f.

Learning Environments

Our district is comprised of seven schools: Forest Hill Elementary (K-5), Dogwood Elementary (K-5), Farmington Elementary (K-5), Riverdale (K-8), Houston Middle (6-8), Houston High

(9-12), and GOAL, a virtual school (K-12).

Student-focused and distinctive, each of our schools o�fer children a rich, multifaceted environment in which to learn. Our educators teach more than 6,100 students, many of whom are from Germantown, but our classrooms also include children from the surrounding communities of Cordova, Collierville and Shelby County.

School Improvements

GMSD has also invested $96 million to improve our schools by adding more classroom, STEM, arts and athletic facilities. These renovations have made each school more state of the art and energy ef�cient. New building standards include ample use of natural light, programmable LED lighting, genius bars for powering electronics, and multipurpose classrooms with modular seating. This gives teachers more �lexibility to recon�gure the classroom for any activity, be it robotics, coding, science or art.

Preschool for All

For our youngest learners (ages 3 to 5), GMSD o�fers eight preschool classrooms at the four elementary schools. Each class is headed by a dual-endorsed (general education and special education) preschool teacher who works alongside paraprofessionals. Both typical and students with disabilities learn critical, foundational skills such as letter and number recognition to prepare them for reading and math. We teach important social skills such as following directions and taking turns, but play is also an integral part of each day. Our preschoolers

have lots of fun as they learn.

Our elementary students become proficient in reading and math. Our rigorous curriculum in the lower grades ensures that students are given a solid academic foundation, preparing them well for taking the next step as sixth graders when they enter middle school.

The same goes for the preparation students gain during the middle school years, building on their knowledge base and becoming ready to achieve in high school.

Learning for Children with Disabilities and Intellectual Giftedness

There are also rich academic opportunities available for students with disabilities. These children make up 17 percent of our school population. From inclusive programs on the elementary level to transitional programs designed to help teens find their way in life after high school, the district is dedicated to offering a continuum of services.

Students who are intellectually gifted attend classes in the elementary schools which provide challenging classes that stretch young minds. For special activities like the Envision Project Expo, students in grades 3 to 5 research and explore a single topic, then present their project findings during this exciting, one-day expo.

Managing Transitions

Every year, rising sixth graders from our three elementary schools spend a day visiting Houston Middle. Students hear from HMS Ambassadors and teachers about what becoming a middle schooler means and how to find their place here. Important information is covered, from learning how class rotation works to the many extracurricular clubs and sports available. In seven and eighth grade, students return to learn more about career pathways. Career Days also prepare middle schoolers as they begin thinking about their high school academic plan.

Rising ninth graders visit Houston High School, where teens learn what to expect by seeing a day in the life of a high school student. These outings are highly anticipated and enjoyed by all.

We recognize that while these are important milestones, such transitions can be stressful. Helping students know what to

to take part in a wide assortment of extracurricular activities. All of our elementary schools have active crosscountry running groups that give kids a chance to discover the value of team work as well as individual accomplishment.

At all of our elementary schools, students are exposed to both general music and excellent string programs, where they can learn to play an instrument and perform in school orchestras. But there are also clubs for writing, arts, gaming, a wide range of choices that give students another place to shine.

After-School Care

Transitioning from the school day to afternoon play is the job of the staff at REACH. This after-school care program provides reliable, enriched aftercare for children ages 5 to 11. A branch of this program is available at each of the district’s elementary schools as well as at Riverdale.

Children who are enrolled during the year are exposed to a variety of activities that focus on recreation, education, arts, community building, and health. REACH is available Monday through

Each of our schools also have active PTO groups, led by parents who bring a wealth of creative ideas and manpower to our district. PTOs play an active supporting role in strengthening all of our schools. They lend a hand each day, organizing everything from teacher appreciations to field days and movie nights. We couldn’t do our jobs without their support.

The success of our schools exemplifies how hard work, dedication and compassion can make a real difference in the lives of our students and their families. �

Our Schools are Number One

Dogwood Elementary School

Home of the Dolphins

Dogwood Elementary School is a neighborhood school led by seasoned educator Principal Jessica Woody. Woody was named GMSD’s Principal of the Year in 2022. She is a strong school leader who knows how to foster a positive, nurturing school environment.

Dogwood is a Rewards School where faculty shape students by strengthening academic and interpersonal skills. Dogwood students learn they can be world changers by being kind and committed to service.

Dogwood embraces distinctive learning. One example is DrumFIT, a cardio drumming program gives students a full body workout while developing fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. Another popular event is Dogwood’s Field Day, where kids compete in three-legged races and tire-rolling, having fun while learning about teamwork.

A rich club life is another example of

how we take a whole-child approach to child development. After school, chil dren participate in our steel drum band or run track.

Parent involve ment is always welcome. Many parents regularly pitch in with Dogwood’s PTO by volunteering during Field Day and DolphinFest. Our parents make Dogwood stronger.

Farmington Elementary School

Home of the Falcons

Farmington is a Reward School, recognized by the Tennessee Board of Education as being in the top five percent of Tennessee schools for academic achievement and growth.

Children enjoy attending Farmington because of the relationships fostered between students and teachers. Ours is a school built on trust. We are led by Principal Ashley Brasfield, who promotes inclusivity and diversity.

At Farmington, we love reading. Many

teachers have classroom library collections that engage children in great story telling while exploring qualities such as kindness and listening.

In addition to improving academic skills, Farmington students discover new talents through our excellent arts programs. Those with a flare for theatre perform on stage and help out backstage with Falcon Footlights. We also have a string program, a guitar club, and track club.

The partnership with our parents is another essential component of our culture. Becoming involved with Farmington’s PTO is a way for parents to get connected at school and be a role model for students.

We Love You at Farmington is more than just our motto; it’s our way of life.

Riverdale K-8

Home of the Raiders

Riverdale is GMSD’s only K-8 school. Students who attend here receive a streamlined education in preparation for high school.

Led by veteran principal Joseph

Bond, the faculty at Riverdale encourage academic excellence by providing children the tools they need to succeed in a welcoming, family-like environment.

Our students are avid readers, reading everything from famous explorers to being a friend. Our Family Resources page offers useful websites on kid lit and media consumption.

Our school received a $12 million addition in 2017, growing our campus by creating a new fine arts wing, additional classroom space and a brighter appearance, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. The school also sports a hardwood floor gymnasium, STEM lab space, new choir and band rooms and a modern art studio.

In addition to offering a rich music and fine arts program, we have an active theatre community, the Riverdale Raider Theatre. This year we premiered the musical production of The Little Mermaid, Jr.

After-school activities help kids discover ways to expand their horizons. Our clubs include chess, Best Buddies and the Riverdale Student Council.

Finally, parent involvement is an essential part of our school’s success. Riverdale’s PTO members assist with a variety of cultural arts and teacher appreciation activities. When parents remain engaged in their child’s education, everyone wins!

Forest Hill Elementary School

Home of the Foxes Forest Hill is GMSD’s newest school (2019),

recognized as one of Tennessee’s Reward Schools, known for academic achievement and growth. We believe every child has unique abilities that should be fostered. Our school benefits from outstanding leadership by Principal Zac Percoski, who’s been recognized as Principal of the Year. The school’s modern construction reflects qualities GMSD values: the use of sustainable materials, floor-to-ceiling windows and state-of-the-art classrooms that accommodate all types of lessons. Our school also has an outdoor playground and lakeside walking trail. Students enjoy PE in a spacious gym with hardwood floors, adjustable basketball goals and seating for 500. We anticipate this being a popular community space.

Students at Forest Hill are inspired by teachers like Jon House, named GMSD’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. His outdoor garden is an extension of his classroom, where students grow plants and observe nature.

Our new art room exposes children to a variety of mediums and is large enough to accommodate adult art programming. Our cafeteria can be transformed into an exciting theatre space, with a stage, LED lighting, and a sound system.

After-school club life is fun too, with opportunities for kids to shine in choir, art, track, even the kindness club.

Our parents are our greatest assets at Forest Hill and many participate in our PTO. They work to build a sense of community by volunteering at the school and providing financial support through fun activities like Donuts with Dudes and Daddy Daughter Disco.

Houston Middle School Home of the Mustangs

The middle school years can be challenging, as students begin changing physically and emotionally as they enter the teen years. That’s why a strong middle school is so essential to a child’s development. At Houston Middle, you’ll find an inclusive environment that telegraphs the importance teachers place on helping children develop both academically and developmentally.

Houston Middle benefits from strong leadership. Principal Shamira Davis named 2023 Principal of the Year by GMSD, creates a positive, engaging school culture. She is a mentor to her staff, working alongside faculty to help elevate their skills and hosting coffee chats for parent feedback.

Join Our House HMS is organized by a House system. continued on page 10

continued from page 9

Students belong to various Houses, smaller groups designed to provide guidance, support and connection for each teen. Faculty focus on relationship building as well as character development. We believe when students feel supported, improved academic achievement and fewer discipline problems result. Students are rewarded for showing acts of kindness, respect, academic achievement and effort.

STEM offerings at Houston Middle are strong and continue to grow. With a $17 million addition completed in 2023, the school now has three STEM classrooms and STEM courses available to grades 6 to

8. We also offer classes in coding, robotics, and career exploration. Our aim is to help students prepare for their high school years by exploring a range of classes in the arts and sciences.

Creative Spaces

Two new art rooms give students the creative space to produce a variety of projects using different materials. Our art courses help students develop basic skills such as drawing, painting and graphic design. Students can also elect to take a class in the exploratory arts, which exposes them to the fine arts, choir, band and drama. Our school offers a year-long orchestra class where students learn to play string instruments as well as band. In addition to playing, time is spent learning the fundamentals of music theory.

HMS offers a great selection of after-school programs. These clubs give children a chance to discover and develop special interests. Our clubs include chess, yearbook development, gaming and drama, to name a few.

Students can also gain service and leadership skills by becoming a HMS Student Ambassador. Select students act as the face of HMS, school representatives who engage with community members at public functions.

Athletics for All

In addition to our rigorous academic offerings, Houston Middle is proud to offer a wide range of athletic opportunities for students. Kids can learn more about each sport and try out to become part of the team.

Finally, our PTO keeps parents connected to the school and other parents with a weekly newsletter and an online PTO directory. Participating enables you to effectively impact positive change at HMS. Our parents play an important role in fundraising to provide classroom tools, curriculum-based programs and social events.

Houston High School Home of the Mustangs

Houston High opened in 1989 and continues its legacy of excellence today. We provide rigorous and varied educational opportunities to students in grades 9 to 12. We’ve been recognized as the best public high school in the Mid-South by the Memphis Business Journal. And we rank in the top four percent of public high schools in Tennessee for college preparation. Our

excellent sports programs have produced athletes who’ve brought home more than 100 championships during the course of our history.

Our teens represent a rich cross-section of the greater community, reflecting ethnic, religious and socioeconomic diversity. Students receive a rigorous education at HHS as well as the college and career counseling they need, enabling them to achieve their future academic and professional goals.

Academy Programs

In addition to our traditional coursework, HHS offers three academies: Honors, Leadership and the Fine Arts Academy. These accelerated programs give students enriched learning in specific disciplines.

Honors Academy challenges teens to pursue excellence in academics as well as school and community leadership. During their senior year, students complete a capstone project that provides some form of meaningful community service.

Leadership gives students the opportunity to develop life skills in organization, team-building and leadership. And the Fine Arts Academy offers a rigorous immersive program that helps students develop their technical artistic skills, be it in fine arts, music or theatre.

Houston EPSOs

Houston offers 60 early post-secondary opportunities or EPSOs, which prepare students for college and/or technical careers. This includes 28 AP classes in English, science, languages, and maths; 48 Honors classes and 17 Dual Enrollment classes.

Our Career Technology Education or CTE, gives students education and training in a number of different fields, including healthcare, aviation, manufacturing, and robotics, to name but a few. For example, students who participate in the criminal justice track enroll in this three-year program as sophomores. By graduation, they are prepared for entry-level jobs in the field of law enforcement.

Dual-enrollment allows students to receive college credit during their senior year, earning anywhere from 6 to 40 hours of credit at the University of Memphis, Southwest Community College and UT Martin.

Fine Arts Programming

Our fine arts programs are a rich mix of theatre, visual arts and musical training. We offer many places for students to shine. Classes frequently hear from visiting professionals who share their experience in everything from blacksmithing and set design to acting and more. Students eager to learn about the broadcast world can take classes in television and film production, using our state-ofthe-art television studio. Many HHS alum have launched creative careers thanks to this training.

Improving Our Campus

In 2021, the district completed an improvement project, repurposing garage spaces into a STEM and mechatronics labs. Now the high school can more readily offer mechatronics, where students learn how to build circuit boards and do metal fabrication. The modernization of athletics

field house and spaces for the Houston Band are just the beginning of our plans to fully modernize our high school.

Intervention Creates Stronger Students

In an effort to ensure that all students succeed, Houston offers several programs aimed at strengthening learning. Interventions range from one-on-one tutoring to small study groups.

Saturday School is small-group instruction for students needing special assistance. Summer School is an academic lifesaver when teens receive a failing grade and need to recover credits to stay on track for graduation. The Pointe Alternative School is GMSD’s alternative education program, helping students with long-term suspensions earn the necessary credits to graduate. The Pointe also empowers teens to become responsible for their own behavior and academic performance.

Athletics are Number One

HHS’s teams are strong, competitive and exciting to watch. Our students compete in a range of sports, most affiliated with Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA). Students receive great athletic training and the opportunity to compete in 17 different sports, everything from soccer and baseball to volleyball and pom.

With the recent launch of GMSD’s new website, The Houston Athletics (thehoustonathletics.com), parents now have a place to learn all about what’s going on in the HHS sports world. From reading about student athlete accomplishments to watching games live, it’s a winner. Download the app and tune in today. �

Houston Student Recruitment

Did you know many of our students come from beyond Germantown? Non-residents can apply during open enrollment, held each January & February. Visit GMSDK12.org to learn more.

Tour HHS today!

OurFaculty Inspire Exce ence

What does it take to develop academic success? In a word:

Excellence. Teachers who are knowledgeable and passionate about helping children learn. Teachers who work to improve the quality of their instruction every day in the classroom.

GMSD is committed to giving its faculty and sta�f the resources they need to achieve personal excellence. Teachers strengthen their skills by participating in workshops, professional learning communities, national conferences, even one-on-one instruction. These programs help teachers better themselves as educators so they, in turn, can help students excel.

By providing professional development, GMSD creates a nurturing environment for teachers and sta�f, one that also fosters employee retention. Faculty stay at our schools because they can grow, professionally and personally. In fact, GMSD boasts one of the lowest turnover rates in the state. That continuity also bene�ts students, who build a connection with their schools and see themselves as part of a greater community.

One way faculty hone their skills is through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). This teaching development strategy brings together small teams of educators to share their expertise while working on fresh ways of approaching and conveying lessons. PLCs provide opportunities for teachers to collaborate and learn from one another. Such professional development districtwide brings excellence and continuity to what is being taught in the classroom.

“We want to focus on sharing e�fective practices so that all students can have a similar classroom experience,” says Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Assessment Missy Abel.

Another way faculty excel is by receiving one-on-one training. Some teachers work with instructional coaches who help them hone their skills in math and English language arts. The coaches are seasoned educators with strategies that enable other teachers to improve their work in the classroom.

“We individualize instruction for our students and we want to o�fer that same level of personalized support for GMSD

teachers,” notes Instructional Supervisor Dianne Stovall.

Additionally, teachers receive other kinds of support. The Coordinated School Health department regularly offers gi�s and opportunities that promote health and wellness. Donations from community partners include personal training sessions, health screenings and gi� cards to local salons. Such bene�ts enable our employees to take valuable time for self care.

Ultimately, our teachers e�forts get noticed. Each month, the district recognizes Teachers of the Month and annually names the principal and supervisor of the year. Educators are saluted throughout the year with PTO sponsored lunch deliveries. And Gratitude Grams, individualized thank you notes which arrive in teachers’ inboxes with reminders of the ways they’ve made a di�ference in a student’s life.

Over the past decade, Germantown faculty have also earned impressive accolades for their work on the local, state and national level. Here are a few snapshots of excellence in the classroom.

Alexa Guynes, �fth grade teacher, Dogwood Elementary 2023 Milken Educator Award →

Teacher Alexa Guynes reveals the magic of learning. Every day, her �fth graders gather to listen as she reads a book aloud. The discussions that arise as they explore each story give the children insights about themselves and the world around them.

Reading leads to engaging activities, like creating experiments for Mad Scientist Day and writing projects that describe people who’ve made a di�ference in the world, with her students creating posters and presenting on their �gure. The success of the “Book a Day” project has blossomed, thanks to Guynes and her colleagues securing a grant to expand it at Dogwood and other schools in the district.

Guynes’ creative, empathetic teaching style led her to be recognized as a Milken Educator, one of the highest honors an educator can receive.

Guynes was cited for being an educator who, “goes above and beyond for her students and colleagues,” notes Dr. Jane Foley, the Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President. “By building on strong fundamentals in reading, writing and critical thinking, Alexa is preparing her students for higherlevel learning and igniting their passions to change the world.”

Guynes was among 40 elementary school teachers nationally to be recognized by Milken during 2023 and the only educator from Tennessee.

Anna Brignole, fourth grade math teacher, Farmington Elementary Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 2018 & 2016 →

Learning math can be challenging for many students.

But if they’re lucky, they learn from a teacher like Anna Brignole at Farmington Elementary. She encourages her students to think creatively when dealing with numbers and become problem solvers. She’s also twice received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation’s highest honor for K-12 educators. And on multiple occasions, Brignole has been recognized as one of Tennessee’s top math teachers. She has taught at Farmington for more than a decade.

“I have learned that being an e�fective teacher means you have to be a skilled instructor, while taking the time to connect with your students,” says Brignole.

Brignole’s classroom culture promotes student empowerment. By using rich math tasks, students learn how to apply multiple pathways toward solutions. She also shares her teaching skills with other math teachers, helping to develop and implement teacher learning opportunities.

Jon House, second grade teacher, Forest Hill Elementary

2023 Teacher of the Year ←

Look around Jon House’s classroom and you’ll see evidence of his passion for teaching. Plants growing hydroponically, maps of the world, a carpet where children stretch out to read. House’s second graders are passionate growers of ideas and gardens.

House was recognized as GMSD’s 2023 Teacher of the Year for his innovative teaching style. He raised funds to launch the Forest Hill Garden Club, a garden his students tend (with help from parents), learning lessons about the environment and nature in the process. They sell their vegetables and �lowers at the

Agricenter’s Farmers Market, with proceeds being plowed back into the garden. House also plays the ukulele, weaving music into the day.

Aysha Brown, K-2 resource teacher at Riverdale School & ESE ↓

Aysha has learned important lessons since beginning her teaching career six years ago. As a resource teacher, Brown works with students with disabilities, which has taught her resourcefulness and empathy.

“They’re honest, they’re accepting and they want you to help them,” she says. “If you guide them, they open up like a �lower.”

During the summer, Aysha provides intervention to students with disabilities during GMSD’s summer learning camp, where kids sharpen academic skills they didn’t fully acquire during the school year.

“As a resource teacher, I work on skill de�cits and have learned how to retool my teaching to meet my students’ learning styles.” �

PHOTO: MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

“Going to the national conference for the Council for Exceptional Children was amazing,” notes Riverdale ESE teacher Aysha Brown. “They discussed behavior strategies and incorporated di�ferent learning skills for students. There were a lot of ideas I could bring back and implement.”

When Antonio Scott transferred to Houston High School as a sophomore in 2013, he wasn’t sure where he’d fit in, so advisor Josephine Hammond acted on a hunch. She plugged him into a service group called Students Taking Action Today, or STAT. Teens with STAT raised awareness about hunger and poverty through service leadership projects.

While Houston is housed in a wealthy community, only a few miles west are some of Shelby County’s poorest neighborhoods. Scott and his fellow Mustangs stepped up to address the need. First, they organized a toy drive for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project.

“We collected lots of school supplies, toys and gifts that would make a kid smile,” says Scott.

Then they teamed up with the MidSouth Food Bank, collecting more than $1,000 worth of canned goods for the nonprofit’s food pantry. On the day of his prom, Scott remembers spending the morning overseeing one of their collection sites. His involvement with STAT led him to other leadership opportunities, including the speech and debate club and the school newspaper, both of which Scott served as president and editorin-chief. He was also voted class president his junior and senior year.

Antonio Scott Class of

2016

GMSD in a Word: “Opportunity”

Those opportunities ignited Scott’s passion for public service, something that continues to drive him today at his job in Washington, D.C., where he serves as the managing director and chief of staff for the African American Mayors Association (AAMA).

“The experience with STAT opened my eyes,” says Scott. “It broadened my perspective on how much an individual can make a difference.”

AAMA brings together a diverse range of African American mayors, those who lead small towns like Earle, Arkansas to others who manage bustling cities like Denver and Baltimore. The goal of AAMA is to empower municipal leaders by sharing best practices, leadership and management tools, and learning how public policy shapes municipalities. During

their meetings, the mayors discuss topics that impact all of their jobs as city leaders: public safety, inclusive growth, jobs and affordable housing.

Through AAMA, “The mayors get to see how cities work and how we can come together on issues doing collective bargaining,” says Scott.

AAMA’s aim is to help mayors grow while making sure the current administration knows where their organization stands on important legislative issues. Whether it’s via public policy advocacy or raising awareness through social action, Scott says he’s passionate about enacting positive social change.

Retired English teacher Karen Garrison, who Scott affectionately calls “Mama G” was a Houston mentor he valued. “She crafted my writing skills and helped me become a more succinct and creative writer,” he says. “She was also my first African-American studies/literature course, and that class changed my life.”

The 25-year-old earned a B.A. in Professional Studies at the University of Memphis and during college interned in the strategic partnerships division of ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, an experience which taught him how to coordinate partnerships.

While Scott graduated in 2020, Covid didn’t slow his forward momentum. He continued at the University of Maryland’s College of Education where he received a Master’s degree in higher education and joined AAMA.

broadcasts at school and became known for his Twitter handle, A Scott News. He amassed 75,000 followers, frequently tweeting breaking news items. His popularity even led to a news story on WMC-TV 5.

Ultimately, STAT’s work took Scott to Washington in 2014, where he and classmates received the national Jefferson Award for their commitment to service.

“My community

started here by seeing the impact we could make,” he says.

Today, Scott continues to work towards that goal.

Scott currently resides in Washington, D.C. �

(Top) Scott with Vice President Kamala Harris.

(Above) On air at GMSD.

(Left) College bound.

The Arts are Alive

From theatre productions to orchestra recitals, painting murals to chorus concerts, the arts programs o�fered at GMSD give students of all ages a chance to explore the creative world. The district o�fers art and music on a rotational basis at

the elementary level. In �fth grade, students have the option to join the orchestra instead of taking general music. Here they learn how to play a string instrument and participate in larger musical productions.

Students can continue their music and art training at Riverdale and Houston Middle Schools. Here you’ll �nd orchestra, band, and choral programs, along with a rich array of arts training that exposes children to a number of mediums and styles. Sculpting, painting, drawing and

ceramics, all are explored.

Once our students arrive at Houston High, they discover a larger world rich with possibilities. Our band, orchestra and chorus present live concerts and travel extensively. Last year, the band performed in Orlando while the chorus sang in Hollywood and the orchestra toured Europe. Our students gain performance experience while getting to visit interesting destinations.

Our visual arts programs take students to new heights that gain them recognition. Our middle and high school students win Gold and Silver Keys, and are o�en �nalists in competitions like the Memphis Airport Art contest. They also sell holiday cards that showcase their work.

The arts are alive at GMSD! �

Cla of 2011

GMSD in a Word: “Respite”

Savannah Jewell White has always had a passion for travel. Those experiences are what shape her work as a painter. Her exhibit in 2020 at The Medicine Factory, an art studio in downtown Memphis, featured colorful canvases inspired by the time White spent in Amsterdam and South Africa. “The landscape there was so amazing,” she says. While she never pursued training a�er taking AP art classes at Houston High, her career has �lourished.

“I see so much when I travel, both beauty and despair; it shapes my perspective and who I am. Painting is the best way I know to share the experience of this kind of awakening,” says White, who signs her work Jewell.

White was given a window to the wider world thanks to her parents events management company. As entrepreneurs, they created an international incentive travel company, so she o�en worked for them during her teen years.

“I’d �ly from college to the Caribbean and help my parents manage a project, making sure food tables weren’t out too early or coordinating excursions and o�fsite dinners,” says White.

She traces her interest in art back to childhood. Her grandmother was a potter, and Savannah frequently played with clay while her grandmother �red pots and encouraged her creativity. White

“That little milestone gave me an identity as a creative person,” says Jewell. White also found herself drawn to Spanish a�er taking a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Several friends spoke the language and, “I thought that was so cool.” She found a mentor in her AP Spanish teacher, Kristin Ferryman, someone who remains a friend today.

“I had two wonderful years with her,” says White. “She demanded a lot from her students and she got it.”

White also played volleyball at Houston, but art and Spanish provided the respite she craved to explore her creative side.

She earned a BA in broadcast journalism from Mississippi State in 2015, interning in New York City for designer Hilton Hollis, someone she met through modeling in Memphis.

She traveled following graduation, eventually landing in Milan, Italy

as a Student Ambassador for the USA Pavilion at Expo 2015.

While art is her passion, White is also pragmatic. She worked in the corporate world for several years, managing carton packaging for Pactiv Evergreen, a food packaging company. Now she’s with Century Financial and studying to become a �nancial advisor for small business owners.

“I want to bring �nancial knowledge to the creative community, so they have the ability to retire and make investments,” she says.

White paints in her home studio in Cooper Young, laying down layers of color on wood canvases to build her lush, contemporary landscapes. She participated in the 2023 Harding Art Show in Nashville, a fundraiser for Harding Academy (where Reese Witherspoon and Keith Urban’s children attend school). And her art is carried by Design Supply Shop in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as Well and Wonder, an online collective featuring original art by emerging Southern artists.

Houston’s art faculty recognized her potential, giving her the Excellence in Art Award her senior year.

“I thought it would go to more talented people. But I loved painting so much, that really had an e�fect on me. I always wanted to do it.”

White currently resides in Midtown. �

PHOTOS: BRANDON DILL

We’veGameGot

Did you know more than 40 percent of GMSD students participate in some form of after-school athletics? Each of our six schools have a wide range of sports offerings that enable kids of all ages to develop new interests, sharpen athletic skills and discover what it means to be part of a team.

Below are the sports offered at Houston High School. The majority are affiliated with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA). Some sports are also offered at Houston Middle School and Riverdale K-8.

onto the new Houston Athletics website (thehoustonathletics.com). The district launched the site in 2023 as a one-stop shop for all athletic news from Houston High. You’ll find game schedules and scores, team rosters, sports photo gallery, video highlights from games, even a summer camp listing for kids.

Houston Athletics is also available as a smartphone app. Download the app and you’ll receive push notifications every time a high school game goes live. Click on the Links button under the Inside Athletics heading and you’ll find a host of links to specific team pages.

Want to look back on Houston’s championship records? Go to the Inside Athletics button, then click on Championships. You’ll discover where our athletic program has been. We’ve had pole vaulting champions, tennis champions, soccer champions, even a track and field discus champion. We’re got a great sports legacy that continues to grow. Let’s go, Mustangs!

You Are Houston Is Live

combined win this year. He is the coach for boys and girls high school soccer. Over the course of his 30-year career, his teams have brought home 14 state championships. In 2018, Wolff was named USA Today’s Coach of the Year after guiding the Mustangs to a 25-0-0 record.

This year, the Mustang’s girls soccer team placed second in the state, and the boys soccer team traveled to Manchester, England for a week of training at Manchester City, the holy grail of soccer training facilities.

Shout Out for a Job Well Done

Many of our athletes achieved important personal bests this year. Here are a few of those recognized.

Varsity Swim Team - Competing in the TISCA State Championships, the girls finished 7th and boys 13th out of 132 teams and 900 athletes. This the highest ranking our teams have achieved. Additionally, 15-year-old twins Eva and Roos Rottink set new school records, and Eva matched Olympic start times during a recent swim competition.

Health and Safety Come First

Athletic programs at Houston High School have received a Gold Star from the Tennessee Department of Health and the Vanderbilt Youth Sports Health Center. These organizations assess high school athletic programs to ensure safety protocols are in place to keep student athletes healthy and protected. Programs are assessed for emergency and allergy response plans as well as annual training for staff in specific areas such as AED/CPR, concussion awareness, and more. We work hard to ensure the health and safety of our athletes and strive to have our programs reach the highest level possible. Receiving a Gold Star from the state reflects those efforts.

Find Out What’s Happening

There are many ways to learn more about what’s happening on and off the playing field. The easiest is to log

Fans can also watch live sports action on Houston’s YouTube channel @youarehouston. Featured are athlete profiles, special events like the cheer team review, and more. Some Mustang sports are live-streamed so families can view the games by logging onto the site.

Another feature is the new HUDL camera technology. This will enable parents to put together highlight reels of their student’s games and performances, a great tool for those who want to get their athletes in front of college recruiters.

We’re Number One

This year, a number of Houston High teams and athletes had impressive, record-breaking moments. Mustangs set new school records in swimming and track and field, made career-high scores in basketball and became national and world championships in cheer.

Top athletes also received regional notice, with 30 Mustang athletes being named as nominees for The Commercial Appeal’s Player of the Year.

A Living Legacy

GMSD’s nationally recognized soccer coach, David Wolff, achieved his 800th

Cheer - All of GMSD’s Cheer squads placed in the Top 10 during the UCA National Cheer Championship, and the Houston Middle Small Cheer team celebrated multiple victories. This squad of girls won not only the national championship, but also the world championship and the coveted Nation’s Cup. This prestigious award is given to the highest scoring team from each of five countries. Such a trifecta is seldom achieved, so a huge congrats to these Lady Mustangs.

Bowling - Sean Reasoner placed second in Division I State Championships

Track and Field - Runner Zoe Marsh won the Division AAA state title for the 3200 and set a new school record for the 3200, running a 10:58.87.

Eva Gautreaux won the Class AAA title in the 400 for track and field with a time of 59.97. Cory Young set a new school record for long jump with a 23’6” and a new record for triple jump with a 48’1”.

Basketball - Anna Lee Avery and Mavrick Miller hit career highs, each scoring 41 points in a single game. Justin Lewis, the girls basketball coach, was named Coach of the Year by the Daily Memphian. �

Matt Cain

Class of 2002

GMSD In a Word: “Invested”

Matthew Cain belongs to a very special club. This 2002 alum was drafted by the San Fransisco Giants right out of high school and soon became a three-time, All-Star pitcher. He was called up to the majors in August 2005 and played for the Giants until his retirement in 2017.

During postseason play in 2010, Cain helped the Giants win their first World Series title since 1954. The team would go on to win the title again in 2012 and 2014. Cain was considered among the top pitchers in the league, boasting a 95 mph fastball. What’s more, his consistency enabled him to achieve a rare feat.

On June 13, 2012, Matt Cain pitched a perfect game.

He describes his pitching that night

PHOTO: SAN FRANSISCO GIANTS

against the Houston Astros as “�luid.” His rhythm, his fastball, his focus, everything was working. From the mound, Cain dominated the Astros. He struck out batter a�er batter. His teammates were in the zone too, hitting runs and shagging near impossible �lies. He retired 27 batters, and logged 14 strike-outs. He tied Sandy Koufax for the most strike-outs in a perfect game, a record set by the legendary Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher in 1965.

It made for a magical night.

Ironically, Cain had been so intensely in the moment he didn’t realize what he’d accomplished. But he knew while the game was unfolding that something special was happening.

“I was very shocked when NBC reporter Amy Gutierrez told me I’d pitched a perfect game,” he says. “It wasn’t until she said it a�er the game that it registered.”

He had pitched the �rst perfect game in Giants history. What’s more, Cain became one of only 24 MLB pitchers to throw a perfect game. There had been a handful of times when he’d come close, so

what made this night di�ferent?

“I didn’t overthink it,” he says simply.

At Houston, Cain played four years of baseball and remembers coaches Lane McCarter, Jay Joiner and Collins Day as being instrumental in his development.

The coaches, “Wanted to understand us, even on a personal level,” he says. “It wasn’t always about what was happening on the �eld. They taught us how to carry ourselves at school, how to talk to adults. And they weren’t afraid to correct you when you stepped out of line.”

While his teams all had talent, “We couldn’t take advantage of it,” he says. “We put a lot of e�fort in and came up short.”

Coaches weren’t the only people who made an impression. “Principal Aitken was tremendous. He was invested in seeing where you could go.”

Cain wasn’t sure he’d play long-term for the Giants. When they were losing to stronger teams like the L.A. Dodgers, he’d �nd himself feeling envious.

“I wanted to be in the playo�fs and

winning,” he says.

But management was committed to rebuilding, so Cain stayed. By 2012, the Giants’ league standings had skyrocketed, and the 28-year-old signed one of the most lucrative deals for a right-handed pitcher in MLB history: A six-year, $127.5 million contract.

Cain remains great friends with Buster Posey, his catcher for that notable game.

“There was so much electricity, you could feel it,” recalls Posey in The Untold Story. “You didn’t know if you’d be in this moment ever again.” Cain likened the intensity and emotion to playing in the World Series.

Today, life is quieter. Cain is busy overseeing the building of a horse facility in northern California, so his wife, Chelsea, along with daughters Hartley (12) and Everly (9), will have a tranquil place to ride and board their horses. Does he miss the game?

“I still enjoy being competitive, I still need it,” Cain says. “But it’s nice to know it’s not my livelihood.” �

(Above) Horseback with wife Chelsea and their two girls. (Left) Cain’s perfect game is sealed.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Our ProgramsSpecialShine

Germantown Online Academic Learning

GOAL is the answer for families who want their children to attend an exceptional virtual school. This is GMSD’s latest innovation in education, an online curriculum tailored for students grades K to 12. Computers are made available through the district. Our highly quali�ed teachers are certified in the state of Tennessee which ensures that your child receives the highest standard of education. GMSD Learning Coaches are also available when needed.

We understand that �lexibility is key to unlocking each child’s true potential. Some students, like Attila Montague, attend GOAL so they can pursue athletics. Montague competes in tennis — he’s Hungary’s National Junior Tennis Champion — and GOAL gives him the ability to balance his academic pursuits with tournament travel.

We believe a well-rounded education also extends beyond the virtual classroom. To that end, GOAL provides students with exclusive access to GMSD athletics and a wide range of extracurricular activities. In addition, GOAL boasts its own virtual clubs, o�fering exciting opportunities for students to explore their interests.

“Our purpose is to prepare students for ‘their’ tomorrow,” says GOAL Principal Heather Fisher. “We may learn virtually, however, at the root of what we do — we are about connection and community.”

Work-based Learning and Internships

GMSD believes in providing students with more than just a classroom education. That’s why we o�fer work-based learning and internships to Houston High juniors and seniors. They gain valuable, real-life experience while exploring possible career paths.

Eligible students use their last class period to go to work in a variety of professional settings. From bustling retailers to restaurants, our students develop new skills.

Some are even exposed to broader world views. Bridget Igadwa �lew to Vietnam last summer, where she spent two weeks learning about family medicine, anesthesiology and experimental surgery. Such internships give teens a glimpse into what their chosen �eld might look and feel like.

Whether it’s marketing, business, law, early childcare/PreK instruction, healthcare, or specialized STEM �elds, GMSD collaborates with local businesses and organizations to tailor internships to the individual

student’s interests and goals.

Last year, our work-based learning program had nearly 200 participants. Students can also receive dual enrollment college credit, thus jumpstarting their post-secondary journey.

Career Pathways

Every student chooses a career pathway in high school. Our career and technical education program (CTE) gives teens the opportunity to learn more about a number of career �elds. Houston High o�fers 10 di�ferent career clusters and 18 individual programs of study.

All students are required to have an elective focus for four years. Teens choose a concentration in one of the following: the arts (band, choir, theatre), STEM (robotics), nutrition/ culinary skills, social sciences/ humanities, audio/visual production (television studio), mechatronics (mechanical engineering lab), agriscience, info-technology, computer sciences/ethical hacking/cyber security (sponsored by the U.S. government), and health sciences.

Taking CTE courses, students can work towards earning college credit and/or

hosted by Houston High to showcase di�ferent career paths they can select when choosing their high school academic plan. Business representatives at the fair answer student questions and discuss the type of work their companies do. Companies that participate align with the CTE curriculum.

Transition Academy for Students with Disabilities

Houston High School o�fers a wide variety of transition services to ensure post-secondary opportunities for all ESE students 14 and up.

HHS prides itself on the success of their Transition Academy for students with disabilities. Teens ages 18 to 22 focus on career exploration, independent living skills, workplace readiness, and community-based instruction. Job skills are learned by spending time working at community businesses such as Millstone Nursery.

Students earn an occupational diploma, which emphasizes vocational training while mastering the skills needed to hold a job and live independently. �

The Roots of Career Education

When Donna Reed began teaching at Houston High in 2000, there were no classes for students interested in learning about careers in healthcare. But Reed soon remedied that, introducing the �rst health science education course (then an elective) in the Shelby County school system.

Her students learned about anatomy, physiology and medical terminology, with many words rooted in Greek and Latin. They also participated in HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), a national, student-led organization that promotes leadership development and explores health career paths. Reed’s program laid the foundation for what has become part of

a state-mandated program.

Today, the Health Sciences Pathway at Houston o�fers four years of electives. Teens can apply for internships and earn certi�cation as a certified clinical medical assistant (CCMA).

While Reed retired in 2014, her son, Matt Freeman, joined the district as a math teacher at Riverdale, followed by daughter-in-law, Laura Freeman, a district behavioral interventionist and daughter Amanda Freeman, a Response to Intervention (RTI) coach. She tutors children in reading and math.

Reed’s students have gone on to become orthopedic surgeons, nurses, and pharmacists in our community. Hat's o�f to the next generation of medical professionals! �

PHOTO (ABOVE): BRANDON DILL

Retired teacher Donna Reed launched the first career exploration elective class at Houston High. Pictured with her daughter Amanda Freeman, son Matt Freeman and daughter-in-law Laura Freeman.

Andrew Boucher

Class of 2005

GMSD In a Word: “Pride”

second year of practice as a neurosurgeon specializing in tumors.

Mustangs.

(Top right) Boucher played both football and baseball for the

Intensity and focus have always been a part of Andrew Boucher’s nature. Those strengths helped him excel: as a student, an athlete and today, as a neurosurgeon with Semmes Murphey Clinic, where he operates on tumors of the brain and spine.

Boucher was proud to be a dual athlete, playing four years of football and baseball for Houston High (and later, at Rhodes College). “I appreciated the discipline and regime of practice,” he says.

The school’s baseball team was coached by Lane McCarter, who took over the program in 1999. In 2005, Boucher’s senior year, Coach McCarter led the Mustangs to the Class AAA State Championship.

“I was proud to be part of that team,” Boucher says. “I still keep up with some of those friends today.”

He is also proud to be a product of the Germantown school system, where he attended both Farmington Elementary and Houston Middle. When he arrived at Houston, he took AP calculus with Mr. Cook and AP English literature with Dr. Natalie Parker-Lawrence, two rigorous courses, “with voluminous amounts of reading,” he says. But their high expectations motivated him.

The AP classes “were college-level courses and the work absolutely prepared me for college.” So much so that Rhodes waived taking any additional math or language classes, enabling Boucher to focus on premed.

He earned a B.S. in neuroscience, then once at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) College of Medicine, became hooked on it as a specialty a�er shadowing a neurosurgeon with Semmes Murphey Clinic. Watching him perform brain surgery was transformative.

“The anatomical intricacies of the human brain is amazing. Once you see that — it’s so beautiful — I don’t think anything else can top that rush,” Boucher says.

A�er a seven-year residency and fellowship training in neurosurgical oncology at Emory School of Medicine, Boucher accepted an o�fer from Semmes Murphey Clinic, along with the opportunity to work in his hometown.

Now two years into his practice, Boucher is a tumor specialist. Each week, he does clinical rounds between three hospitals, reviewing the status of his patients and their care plans. He performs delicate back and brain surgeries and directs neurosurgical residents as part of his teaching role as an assistant professor with UTHSC.

The multifaceted nature of his job requires him to be time ef�cient and “very good at compartmentalization,” he notes. “But I love it. Interacting with patients and sta�f means every day is a little di�ferent.”

The discovery of a tumor is o�en by chance, when a patient receives a CT scan to �nd the cause of an ongoing headache or trauma. The most commonly tumors, meningiomas, are benign. These form within the meninges, the layers of tissue that protect the brain and spinal cord. If the tumor is not causing symptoms, “We just watch them,” he says.

But for patients diagnosed with a malignant tumor, there comes intricate surgery and treatment, with Boucher providing expertise and guidance to his patients.

“A cancer diagnosis is a life-changing

It’s a tough pill to swallow,” he says. “But the most rewarding part of my job is seeing patients with terminal tumors and guiding them through that process. I try to be honest and empathetic. I try to give hope but not false hope,” he says. “And I do a lot of listening. I try to give my patients what they need.”

All with intensity, focus and pride. Boucher is married to Andrea, a nurse midwife. The couple live in Germantown with their two children. �

We put

GMSD’s faculty and sta�f work every day to create a secure environment that enables our students to successfully learn and grow. In fact, classroom safety is one of our top priorities. We are committed to ensuring that each school and its sta�f are adequately prepared so that teachers and students can focus on academic readiness.

Planning, Preparedness, Prevention

What does it take to meet that commitment? We focus on the three P’s: planning, preparedness and prevention.

Keeping schools secure is about taking preventative measures and planning ahead so we can be fully prepared in the event

of an emergency. We accomplish this by working closely with �rst responders in our community on crisis management training.

Thanks to assistance from professionals within the Germantown Fire Department and the Germantown Police SWAT Team, our faculty receive annual instruction on active shooter response, trauma �rst aid and achieving successful reuni�cation. This ensures that students are reunited solely with their approved guardians following an unexpected event.

Additionally, GMSD mandates that certain staff members maintain CPR certi�cations. This includes school nurses, physical education teachers, preschool teachers, and preschool assistants. These two-year

certi�cations are offered non-gratis by Methodist Healthcare.

Campus Security

All schools have secured entrances, visitor sign-in and ID scanning technology, badge access points, door prop alarms, and campus security cameras that monitor school grounds. School Resource Of�cers, who are members of law enforcement, are present at each school. Their job is to teach, counsel and protect the school community while building relationships with students.

Additionally, a Safe School Specialist makes weekly school visits, meeting with faculty at each campus so as to further enhance school safety.

We believe these measures, along with

providing comprehensive training programs, enables GMSD to create a secure and healthier learning environment for children and teens.

Mental Wellness

The Safety & Wellness Advisory Team (SWAT) is a youth-led group that meets monthly at the middle and high schools. Students sit down with members of our Safety Team and openly discuss topics of concern. The adults present during this exchange gain valuable insights into the safety and mental health issues on the minds of our students. The group is instrumental in identifying appropriate safety campaigns in response to issues raised.

Digital Safety

GMSD works to protect children from online harm by using a monitoring software that’s loaded onto each student’s computer. Bark! scans student emails and stored documents in search of suspicious activity. The program also looks for signs of self-harm, depression, thoughts of suicide, substance abuse, cyberbullying, and credible threats of violence against others. When an activity is flagged, our district team, along with local law enforcement, receive immediate notification.

Beyond the Classroom

We’re also interested in protecting our students as they engage in life within the wider community. We expand our reach to

ensure that children receive the guidance they need to help them navigate safely in the world around them.

• High school students learn best practices to become a safe driver and the dangerous effects that can result when drinking and driving.

• Students in grades 7, 9 and 11 receive CPR/First Aid Training and become CPR/ First Aid certified.

• Elementary and middle school students explore the world of biking via our Bike Safety education programs.

• Health screenings are completed to track hearing, vision, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) for students in grades K, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9.

• The GMSD communications team regularly produces public service announcements (viewable on the GMSD YouTube channel) that cover additional health and wellness topics of interest to families. �

PHOTOS: LARRY KUZNIEWSKI

(Above) School resource officers counsel students and protect our schools.

(Left) Crossing guards become friends, too.

JudgeMary L.Wagner Classof2002

PHOTOS (TOP): BRANDON DILL

Judge Mary L. Wagner prides herself on her drive for excellence, something she learned and developed during her years at Houston High School. From her English teachers who pushed their students to become strong, analytical writers, to her band director who taught his students to continuously challenge themselves to do your best better, a passion for excellence surrounded Judge Wagner at Houston. She strives to pursue this passion as a State of Tennessee Circuit Court Judge.

Wagner graduated from Houston High school in 2002. She went on to earn a BA in 2006 from the University of Colorado, majoring in political science. She received her law degree from the University of Memphis in 2009, magna cum laude. Following law school, she clerked for the Tennessee Court of Appeals and then went into private practice. While in practice, Wagner used her writing skills, first developed at Houston, as an adjunct writing professor at the University of Memphis School of Law.

She was appointed by Governor Bill Haslam to fill a court vacancy in 2016 and went on to be elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Since taking the bench, Wagner’s peers have recognized her passion for excellence. In 2019, she received Chancellor Charles A. Round Memorial Award for Outstanding Judge of the Year by the Young Lawyers’ Division of the Memphis Bar Association, and in 2018 she was named one of the Twelve Most Outstanding Women, Honoring Women in the Judicial System by the Memphis InterDenominational Fellowship Inc.

Wagner views the legal system as a way of helping people. Prior to taking the bench, Wagner maintained a general

cases that come before her court.

Having a case wend its way through the legal system can take several years, often longer than people expect. Wagner acknowledges, “A judge can play a role in helping that process be as efficient as possible.” She works to expedite her rulings so people can receive a resolution and return to their lives.

As a judge, she views being an educator as part of her job, it’s her way of fostering public trust in the state’s legal system. Wagner is a self-professed legal nerd, someone who enjoys studying and discerning the nuances of the law, and teaching others about the court system.

Wagner enjoys her opportunities to write about the law, whether through publications or drafting her own orders.

Garrison,” says Wagner. “She was critical and tough on you. She pushed you to be a better writer in substance and structure.”

Wagner remembers Garrison made her students work hard, which wasn’t much fun at the time. But in hindsight, “it proved very beneficial.”

When she reflects on her time at Houston, the four years she spent in color guard and band under the leadership of Jim Smith, stand out. “My years with the color guard had a tremendous impact on my high school experience. Through band, I gained life skills and friendships I still maintain today.”

Overall, the sense of community fostered by the faculty and staff gave her a sense of belonging.

“I always felt there was a real sense of belonging, that there were people who cared about you and wanted you to succeed,” she says.

Wagner is married to Tom Owen. The couple have two boys. �

(Top) The judge in her courtroom.

(Below) Wagner and family on the campaign trail.

(Left) Wagner with her husband, Tom, and their two children.

Building aFutureBrighter

Since becoming a school district in 2013, our staff has spent many hours listening closely to you, our parents and stakeholders, when planning for GMSD’s future. What’s more, we consider your input at every turn. The shared vision that has arisen from this collaborative effort has strengthened our strategic plans and led to more innovative designs for our schools.

In nearly a decade, we’ve accomplished a great deal. We’ve studied enrollment trends and demographic data to determine how best to grow. To ease overcrowding, we built Forest Hill Elementary and erected a new district office on the same campus. To improve our STEM offerings, we built additions to both Riverdale K-8 and Houston Middle School, providing more functional classroom space. We also improved our athletic facilities.

When we’ve made adaptations to one school, we’ve made equivalent upgrades to others. By making these improvements, all students are better able to study and perform at the school they attend. Today, our elementary schools have stages in the cafeterias and gyms with

natural hardwood floors for team play. Some of these facilities are even used by Germantown’s recreation leagues, bringing added value to our community. Now, the time has come to focus our attention on Houston High School. Houston has seen few changes since opening its doors in 1989. Our staff has done excellent work over the years, preparing thousands of students to become the leaders of tomorrow.

A New Era of Growth

Today, we stand on the brink of a new era of expansion. Our aim is to better serve our students by creating a state-of-the-art facility that will enable GMSD to provide a technology-rich, 21st-century high school.

Over several years, more than 100 subcommittee members have gathered to discuss the future of Houston High’s campus. They have been guided by the district’s strategic plan and conversations around how best to prepare our students for post-secondary success. From those ideas have grown the architectural renderings that were drafted by Fleming Architects. What follows is the plan for Houston’s expansion.

What the Future Holds

A new, two-story classroom wing will be added to the campus’ east side, housing STEM labs and classroom space for our CTE programs including health sciences and mechatronics. Houston’s A Building will be also refurbished.

On the west side of campus will rise a new performing arts center, using the same footprint Fleming Architects created for the University of Memphis.

There will be space for theatre production classes, orchestra practice spaces and visual arts classrooms. The existing auditorium will be refurbished to create a black box theatre which can accommodate theatrical or dance performances.

Our athletic complex will also morph. The plans include a larger varsity gymnasium to better accommodate our wrestling program basketball and volleyball programs. There will be more locker rooms and office space. The existing gym will be retrofitted with hardwood floors and our heavily used outdoor track will gain an additional lane and new resurfacing.

Essentially, we anticipate the entire campus to effectively be remodeled. The

project build-out will take several years, but during this time, the high school will remain fully utilized.

The projected cost of this ambitious project is $163 million.

Committed to Excellence

To tackle this project now gives us the ability to produce a modern high school

that will meet our needs for the coming years. Funding this project will require an investment from Shelby County, the city of Germantown and private donors. We are optimistic that our GMSD alumni and stakeholders will choose to support this ambitious project. We remain confident our commitment to excellence will prevail,

RENDERING: FLEMING ARCHITECTS

View from Wolf River Blvd.

and the creative innovation of Houston High School will be a take us proudly into the 21st century.

Join us. �

Let Your Gift Build a Legacy

Now that you’ve read our story, we’re asking you to join us. Become part of the living legacy that is the Houston High Alumni Foundation. Your support will enable students to engage not only in scholarship but in community service, civic leadership, innovation and so much more.

Your donation is a way of giving back. It furthers the development of the next

generation of learners. We are proud and inspired by the achievements our alumni have made in their chosen fields. Consider the areas for which you have a passion, whether it’s the performing arts or athletics, the sciences or technology, business or robotics. Your gift will help strengthen our programs as we prepare the next generation to become the leaders of tomorrow.

As a member of the Houston High

School Alumni Foundation, you will join a vibrant network of professionals that extends far beyond Germantown and the great state of Tennessee — a network that is impacting our nation and world.

So please, make your annual pledge of support today. Your gift will have a longlasting impact, and working together, our students will reach even greater heights.

For more information, visit www.gmsdk12.org/alumni •

We Are Family

Did you know? Houston alum Justin Moore ‘98 formed the band Ingram Hill with fellow University of Memphis student, Phil Bogard in 2000. A�er releasing six albums and touring the U.S., Moore returned home to Germantown. He and wife Anna have two children in our GMSD schools. Anna is a UM professor, Justin a professional musician. Together, they are GMSD strong. • Join them. Support Houston High Alumni Association. • www.gmsdk12.org/alumni

PHOTO: BRANDON DILL The Moores are proud to be part of the GMSD family. Justin and Anna Moore, pictured with their daughter Lucy and son Carter.