Students at West Carroll Jr./Sr. High School had one week to design and decorate a Christmas tree using only handmade ornaments, props, and decorations. Each grade chose its own theme and worked together to bring their vision to life. Now it’s time to pick a winner!
To vote, simply LIKE👍 the photo of your favorite tree.
Voting is open from NOW until 2pm MONDAY 12/8 - check back here Monday afternoon to see who wins! We can’t wait to see which class comes out on top!
Seniors - Christmas Vacation
Juniors - Fortnite
Sophomores - War Eagle Christmas
Freshmen - Snoopy Christmas
8th Grade - Grinchmas
7th Grade - Christmas!
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
We are excited to highlight three outstanding members of our West Carroll family whose hard work and positive influence continue to make a lasting impact on our school community.
Student of the Month: Emmah Pitts🎓
“Emma is a kind, respectful student who works diligently to learn every day. She exemplifies the attributes of a positive role model and excellent student of character.”
Emma’s dedication and the way she carries herself each day do not go unnoticed. We are proud to recognize her and all she brings to our school.
Employee of the Month: Heather Martin🍎
“Nurse Heather is an asset to our health science program. She routinely connects students with industry partners, takes them on real-world field experiences, and sets high expectations that prepare them for careers in healthcare.”
Her commitment to students and her passion for health science education are exceptional, and we are grateful to have her on our team.
Supporter of the Month: Los Ramirez🤝
“Los Ramirez has supported WCHS in many ways since moving to Atwood. They have catered meals, provided discount cards for rewards, and recently supported the entire community by providing Thanksgiving meals to those in need. They are truly an asset to our community.”
We deeply appreciate their generosity and continued partnership with West Carroll.
Congratulations to Emmah, Mrs. Martin, and Los Ramirez for being shining examples of what it means to support and strengthen our school community.
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
20+ Employee Highlight: Sherry Cockrill, 40 Years of Service
"West Carroll County has always been my home and always will be."
This week, we are honored to spotlight Mrs. Sherry Cockrill, the guidance counselor at West Carroll Elementary. Mrs. Sherry was hired in 1985 (at 10:00 PM the night before in-service started!) and has spent the last 40 years making our district a better place. Mrs. Sherry Cockrill has served West Carroll for four decades. She began as a teacher for grades 5–8 before spending the last 25 years as a school counselor.
Her roots here run deep—her ancestors settled in Lavinia in 1818, and she has never left the county. Today, she describes the elementary building as her "second home" and considers it a blessing to teach the children (and even grandchildren!) of her former students.
She says her favorite memories are seeing former students succeed, whether they become doctors, welders, farmers, or teachers themselves.
Although she officially "retired" in the spring of 2024, her heart for our students brought her back part-time this fall. We are so grateful for her continued dedication.
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSDSpotlight #WeAreWestCarroll #WCPS
#TeacherTributeThursday
20+ Employee Highlight: Jackie Wester, 28 Years of Service
"West Carroll is my home... I take pride in our school system."
This week’s Employee Spotlight honors Mrs. Jackie Wester, who is celebrating 28 years with the district (and 32 years in education!). Mrs. Wester’s connection to our schools goes back to her class was the first 7th-grade class when the district was formed.
From teaching 4th grade in McLemoresville to serving as Principal of West Carroll Primary since 2011, she has remained guided by one principle: doing what is best for her students. She loves that she has been here long enough to teach the children of her former students, building a bond of trust that only comes with time.
Thank you, Mrs. Wester, for being a pillar of stability and care for our "Small School, Big Opportunities" community.
#WCSSD #EmployeeSpotlight #WestCarrollFamily #Education #Legacy
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSDSpotlight #WeAreWestCarroll #WCPS
#TeacherTributeThursday
The road to Nationals is paved with... paint, practice tests, and a lot of snacks. 🎨📝
It’s easy to celebrate the victory lap, but we love seeing the journey. Here’s a peek at our BETA students in their element—creating, studying, and preparing to represent West Carroll.
We are so proud of the grit and dedication our students showed long before the competition even started.
#smallschoolbigopportunities #WCSSD #WestCarrollBETA
A native of Milan, Tennessee, Lewis brings creativity, compassion, and a strong academic background to her classroom. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from Lipscomb University and went on to receive her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Tennessee Tech, blending her industry knowledge with strong instructional expertise.
Lewis says she became a teacher because she wants her students to leave her class “with confidence in themselves and their abilities to accomplish whatever they set their minds to.” She believes deeply in the power of resilience and personal growth, reminding her students that “no matter their circumstances, they have the chance to create a meaningful future.” Above all, she strives to ensure every student knows how much she cares about their success and well-being.
One of the things she loves most about teaching is helping students discover connections between their passions and the course content. She also values the relationships she builds with her students and the excitement she helps foster around school activities. For Lewis, each day brings new challenges, possibilities, and opportunities for growth—for both her and her students.
When reflecting on a favorite classroom memory, she fondly recalls the big, exciting projects from Mrs. Becky Reeves’s METS classes during her own middle school years. Those experiences continue to inspire her teaching today.
Lewis hopes that students leave her class with unwavering confidence in themselves and their abilities. She reminds them often that every day is a new opportunity and that they have the power to shape their own futures. Most importantly, she wants them to always know how deeply she cares for their success and prosperity.
A fun fact that makes her time at WCHS even more special: she works just down the hall from her mentor, her biggest inspiration, and her grandmother—Mrs. Linda Hatfield, affectionately known as Mama Linda.
Her favorite quote, one that guides her leadership in the classroom, is by John Quincy Adams: “If you inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
🦅 Congratulations to our State BETA Convention Winners and Competitors!
Our Elementary, Junior High, and High School BETA clubs recently returned from the Tennessee State Convention in Nashville. It was a wonderful week of learning, competition, and team building.
We are proud of how our students represented West Carroll. Many brought home awards. All Top 5 finishes are now invited to National BETA this summer.
Thank you to the families and staff who supported these students throughout the convention. You can view the full list of winners here: https://www.wcssd.org/article/2575490
*More photos to come! 📸🤍
Our entire district is thankful for the hands that serve, hearts that care, and smiles that make every meal special.
We love our West Carroll Cafeteria Staff.
Nurse Heather Martin's Health Science students attended the Discovery Summit at the University of Tennessee at Martin on Saturday, November 15, and it was a powerful opportunity to explore the many paths a future in healthcare can offer.
During the visit, students met with healthcare professionals, toured high-tech simulation labs, and gained firsthand insight into careers in the medical field. Experiences like this help our students connect classroom learning to real-world possibilities and start envisioning their futures.
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarrollCTE
To pick up a wish list tag, stop by the WCJSHS front office during school hours or email emma.obryan@wcssd.org
to receive a digital copy. Choose a tag, purchase the requested items, and place your gifts under the tree to help make a child’s Christmas brighter.
All donations must be dropped off at West Carroll Jr./Sr. High School by Tuesday, December 16.
Let’s come together to share kindness and make a difference this holiday season. 🎁❤️
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
This week, students and staff across the West Carroll Special School District have enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving lunch, and we want to send a huge thank you to our cafeteria teams at all three schools for making it happen. Your hard work, care, and dedication made the day special for everyone. We are so grateful for the way you serve our students each and every day. Here’s a look at the delicious meals from WCPS, WCES, WCJSHS and the smiles shared as we celebrated together.🍽️🦃
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
These students are learning real-world skills in communication, content creation, and digital media while supporting our schools and community. We’re excited to have them on board and can’t wait for you to see more of their work.
As a reminder, if you’re a West Carroll staff member or student with news, photos, or events worth sharing, please reach out to your building-level media coordinator or one of our student interns. We want to celebrate all the moments that make West Carroll special.
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
For 24 years, Mrs. Angie Morris has served the West Carroll District, beginning her career in First Grade, where she spent 20 years. She has also held roles in the District Office (3 years) and the West Carroll Elementary Library (1 year).
A West Carroll native, Mrs. Morris was inspired to teach by her own parents and teachers who worked in the district. She now enjoys the unique opportunity of teaching the children of her former students, watching them grow up in the community.
Principal Jackie Wester describes Mrs. Morris as a compassionate and nurturing teacher who creates a safe and supportive environment. Her kindness is noted for building strong, trusting relationships that inspire students to do their best.
For 21 years, Mrs. Tina Seaton has been a dedicated professional in the West Carroll Special School District. She started as a dishwasher/cook at West Carroll Primary before becoming the cafeteria manager at West Carroll Elementary School.
Principal Dr. Jessica Williams notes that Mrs. Tina works hard to ensure all students have quality meals. She is an advocate for students and staff, and WCES is fortunate to have such a caring, compassionate cafeteria manager.
One of Mrs. Seaton's favorite things is seeing children grow from scared Pre-K students to smart young adults graduating from high school. She also loves hearing young adults say, "She was my lunch lady" when they see her outside of school.
To Mrs. Seaton, working for WCSSD is like having a whole other family that cares about each other and every person in the hallways.
#TeacherTributeThursday
Teachers and staff surprised her by wearing pink, filling the room with decorations, and enjoying chicken salad and pimento cheese from Hometown Grocery to make the day even sweeter.
Her dedication, love for students, and decades of service have shaped generations at West Carroll. We’re grateful for her impact and thrilled to celebrate her on this remarkable birthday.
Happy 80th Birthday, Mrs. Hatfield! 💗
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
Experiences like this help our students connect classroom learning to real medical careers and explore the many paths available in the healthcare field. Thank you to Nurse Heather Martin and Baptist Memorial for this opportunity!🩺 🩻
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarrollCTE
