July 21, 2025
Rutherford County Schools
Nearly 50 Rutherford County Schools educators were selected to attend the Tennessee Arts Academy (TAA) Summer Institute, the nation's premier professional development program for K–12 arts education.
Led by the Tennessee Department of Education, the institute was held July 13-18 at Middle Tennessee State University. During the week, educators learn from a group of nationally and internationally renowned instructors from all over the United States. Programming included a diverse range of classes in music, visual art, theatre and dance, as well as arts leadership and administration.
One current RCS educator and one retired educator were recognized for special awards.
Shauna Mason, a music teacher at Rocky Fork Elementary, was recognized in May by the TAA Foundation as a Teacher Hero. The program honors those “who every day put their talent and creativity on the line to go over and above what is required.”
Additionally, former Riverdale High School band director Ronald Meers received the Joe W. Giles Lifetime Achievement Award. Meers, who taught at Riverdale 1982 until his retirement in 2012, has served as president of various statewide music organizations, such as the Tennessee Music Education Association, and in numerous adjudication roles for the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association.
RCS teachers selected to the 2025 Tennessee Arts Academy are as follows:
Brigette Adkins - Smyrna Middle
Mike Aymett - Riverdale High
Shawn Baughman - McFadden School of Excellence
Heather Blackburn - Smyrna Primary
Eric Breedlove - Rocky Fork Middle
Daniel Brunner - Stewartsboro Elementary
Jennifer Burton - Walter Hill Elementary
Tiffany Cagle - Central Magnet
Sarah Chambers - Rockvale Middle
Thomas Chesnut - Blackman Middle
Anna Cooper - Smyrna High
Mary DeClercq - Rocky Fork Elementary
Brenda Duke - Thurman Francis Arts Academy
Donald Fann - Stewarts Creek High
Danny Freeman - Central Magnet
Morris Hamby - Rock Springs Elementary
Amanda Henry - Brown's Chapel Elementary
Debbie Hice - Rockvale Middle
Elizabeth Issa - Smyrna High
Jenna Jann - LaVergne Middle
Danielle Jarboe - Wilson Elementary
Jennifer Johns - Eagleville School
Anna Le Loup - Oakland High
Abbey Logan - Plainview Elementary
Shauna Mason - Rocky Fork Elementary
Christina McAlexander - Oakland Middle
Caitlin Milligan - LaVergne High
Mary Margaret Moore – Whitworth-Buchanan Middle
Carrie Perkins - Riverdale High
Rebecca Phelps - Rockvale High
Brandon Pope - Rocky Fork Elementary
Lorna Pyka - Rock Springs Middle
Emma Richardson - LaVergne Lake Elementary
Cameron Roberts - Riverdale High
Elizabeth Schenck - Christiana Middle
William Smith - Blackman Elementary
Pamela Vandergriff - Oakland High
Ryann Victory - Stewarts Creek Elementary
Grace Waldrop – Whitworth-Buchanan Middle
Lacy Welker - Holloway High
Kaitlyn Wells - Smyrna Primary
Ottie West - Whitworth Buchanan Middle
Anna Laura Williams - Siegel Middle
Menley Williams - Rock Springs Middle
Miranda Womack - Plainview Elementary