Hayley Wood

Hayley Williams Wood brought lunch from Texas Roadhouse for teachers and staff at Brickey-McCloud during a recent in-service. Wood, a former teacher, is director of strategic partnerships at South College.

These partnerships support teachers advancing through a master’s, EdS or doctoral program.

South College has a long history of providing hands-on, career-focused education. Its competency-based education programs have grown rapidly and now enroll over 2,000 students, Wood said.

Jordan Culp is new principal of Green Magnet Academy

Jordan Culp

Jordan Culp has been appointed principal of Green Magnet Academy effective July 2026. He replaces Jessica Holman, principal at Green since 2017, who was appointed principal at West Haven School.

Culp joined Knox County Schools in 2016 as a counselor at Carter High School. He also worked as a counselor at Halls High School. He began his career in administration in July 2020 as an assistant administrator at South-Doyle Middle School. He is currently an assistant principal at Austin-East Magnet High School.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in education and an educational specialist degree in instructional leadership, both from Lincoln Memorial University.

Tate’s Foundation offers first responder student scholarship

Tate’s Foundation has opened applications for its First Responder Student Scholarship for the 2026-27 school year.

Students at Tate’s School celebrated the announcement with real superheroes as Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) K-9 Unit demonstrated odor detection techniques and the KCSO Aviation team landed a helicopter on campus.

Tracey Van Hook, executive director of the Tate’s Foundation, says it is important to offer resources to those that run toward danger. “We want to support the daily sacrifice and hard work of first responders. Our hope is this scholarship shows our sincere gratitude for their selflessness in service to the community,” said Van Hook.

The Tate’s School of Discovery Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide resources and tuition scholarships to deserving students. The First Responder Student Scholarship provides a full tuition scholarship to the child of a first responder who wishes to attend Tate’s School (approx. $19,000 value).

Fire Chief Stan Sharp of the Knoxville Fire Department was able to send his children to Tate’s over 20 years ago thanks to their financial assistance program. “The experience for our children at Tate’s was what all parents wish for their children’s education. Outstanding academics, kind, engaging teachers and the opportunity to learn on a one-of-a-kind campus.” Sharp encouraged first responders with school-age children to apply. Get details and find the application here.

Notes & Quote:

Volunteer East Tennessee, which is powered by United Way of Greater Knoxville, offers an assortment of places for everyone to volunteer year-round. Great for school kids, seniors, companies and really anyone with time to give. Details here.

Lou Graham

Lou Graham, PGA golfer and all-around good guy, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the age of 88. In a tribute here, Dick Horton recalled the summer of 1977 when Graham had promised to help with the TN PGA Junior Golf Academy at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Just two days earlier, Graham had finished runner-up to Hubert Green in the U.S. Open at Southern Hills.

After an exhausting trip from Tulsa to Fall Creek Falls in a single day, Graham was greeted by an enthusiastic group of children who had watched him compete on television that weekend. When Graham asked if anyone had a question, a little boy raised his hand.

“Mr. Graham, if you are one of the best players in the world, how come you missed that two-foot putt on 17?”

Without hesitation, Graham said: “Young man … you make some, you miss some. That’s the way it is.”