TSB's Harmony Land In Tune With Students

Few things can satisfy the soul like music, and one of the things that often makes music even better is when it’s experienced  outdoors… as in a park or natural setting. Thoughts like these must have been on the mind of TSB music teacher Madeleine May as she traveled across the school’s beautiful campus one day this past spring. On this day, the music teacher noticed many of the older students weren’t very active. Much of the outdoor equipment seemed geared towards the younger ages, and as she pondered this, her imagination took over. 

Insight to a Bright Future

Exposing the best opportunity and most unique learning environment for blind and visually impaired students within the state, Tennessee School for the Blind released its latest video on August 9th. Entitled “Insight to a Bright Future”, the production came at the hands of the school’s media staff over the summer. The video is a collections of “must see staff interviews” focusing on the school’s offerings and the impact they’re having on students. Superintendent David Martin provides informative details of the state’s special school, and the staff gives credence to how students are becoming contributing, participating members of society. The school has been described by visitors to the campus as one of the “state’s best hidden secrets.” Viewing this video gives you insight into the reasons why.

Staff Receives Accolades and Directive

As superintendent David Martin began his “Welcome Back” speech to the staff on the morning of August 1^st, he had a tall task in attempting to equal his now famous “drop the mic” introductory remarks of a year ago. His motivational style of speaking had left the staff ready to take on the year’s challenges.

This year, after a lustrous introduction by Executive Director for State Special Schools Eric Williams, Dr. Martin took to the mic with a PowerPoint full of ammunition aimed at blowing up the school’s many accomplishments from last year.

Beginning with results from the AdvancedED evaluation, the accolades for the staff and school began to mount up. From AdvancedED’s thirty indicators for grading the performances of schools, fourteen exceeded expectations, nine met expectations, six were emerging, leaving only one in need of improvement. Most excellent for any school!

The Effective Learning Environments Observation Tool (ELEOT) became Dr. Martin’s next tool of motivation. ELEOT measures and quantifies active student engagement. Dr. Martin presented the following