20+ Employee Highlight: Shan DePriest, 27 Years of Service
Managing Millions with Precision (and a sense of fun!) 💼
Overseeing a $13 million district budget requires incredible attention to detail, integrity, and professionalism. Fortunately, West Carroll has Ms. Shan DePriest.
Ms. Shan is currently in her 27th school year with the district, having started in 1999. She spent her first two years at the Jr/Sr High before moving to the Central Office, where she has served for the last 25 years.
While she is known for her financial expertise, her coworkers know another side of her: Shan is always the "Life of the Party"!
Ms. Shan says she loves her Central Office team, and we certainly love her. Her advice to those just starting out is a reminder to cherish every moment: "Take in all you can. Time flies and it will be over before you know it".
Thank you for keeping our district financially compliant and our office spirits high.
#WCSSD #EmployeeSpotlight #CentralOffice
10th Annual West Carroll Holiday Mart Recap ✨🎄
This weekend’s West Carroll Holiday Mart, hosted by WCHS Class of 2026 Project Graduation, was the biggest one yet! With over 70 vendors, the event featured small businesses, talented vendors, local artists, and makers, offering a wide variety of unique holiday gifts. Shoppers enjoyed festive treats, food trucks, and hot cocoa for a fun and welcoming holiday shopping experience. The strong turnout and community support made this year’s Holiday Mart a huge success.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 10th annual event one to remember, from our vendors and student/parent volunteers to every shopper who came out to support local businesses and our students.
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
Also, big shoutout to our Student Media Team photographer, Taytum Jenkins, for capturing the action and energy from the games! 📸
Proud of our players, coaches, and students for representing West Carroll so well.
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
In Ms. Emily’s 5th grade classroom, students designed creatures to survive changing environments, predators, harsh winters, limited food, and more. Using a points-based strategy system, students had to think critically, revise their designs, and adapt each round (just like animals in the real world!).
The verdict from students? A little nerve-wracking, very strategic… and a whole lot of fun.
✨ Science standards met
✨ Engineering design in action
✨ Engagement through problem-solving and creativity
Proof that when learning feels like play, everyone wins. You’ve got this, science teachers!
West Carroll Elementary students brought their love of reading to the Trezevant Christmas Parade this year! After reading 50+ books during the semester, 71 hardworking students earned their spot in the parade.
With smiles, waves, and holiday spirit, these young readers showed our whole community what it looks like to celebrate success with pride. Thank you to the families and staff who cheered them on!
#WestCarrollTN #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCESReads #TrezevantParade #StudentSuccess
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
Thank you to our band students, families, and volunteers who helped make this cherished tradition such a success. If you were not able to pick up your pictures with Santa, please email cindiwilbanks72@gmail.com
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
Our FFA chapter is having an interest meeting for students and parents who want to learn more about showing goats next year.
Whether you’ve been around livestock your whole life or you’re brand new, this meeting will inform you about what is needed to show.
📅 Date: December 16, 2025
🕒 Time: 5:00 PM
📍 Location: WCHS Ag Room
This is a great opportunity to ask questions, and see if showing goats is the right fit for you. No experience needed—just a willingness to learn!
If you plan to attend, drop a comment or email noah.rogers@wcssd.org.
We can’t wait to grow our goat show team! 🐐💙💛
A few benefits of showing livestock:
1. Builds Responsibility & Work Ethic
Students learn daily care, feeding, training, and consistency—skills that carry over into life, school, and future careers.
2. Develops Confidence & Leadership
Showing animals helps students become confident speakers, decision-makers, and leaders in and out of the show ring.
3. Teaches Animal Care & Agricultural Skills
Students gain hands-on experience with livestock health, nutrition, training, and proper animal handling.
Our band students spread holiday cheer during their recent concert, filling the room with festive music and plenty of War Eagle pride. Their hard work and dedication were on full display as they performed a variety of seasonal selections for students, families, and community members.
Thank you to our high school and junior high band members and directors, Emma O'Bryan and Brayden Campbell, for a wonderful evening of music and to everyone who came out to support our students. It was a great way to celebrate the season together!
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
We are now accepting business ads and sponsorships for the West Carroll Jr./Sr. High School 2025-2026 Yearbook! This is a great way to support our students while promoting your business to families and community members.
Ads are on sale through January 30, 2026. Ad options:
• Full Page – $250
• ½ Page – $200
• ¼ Page – $150
• ⅛ Page (business card size) – $100
Download the order form here👉 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G5QQi7ocScSo1CvsrXVhcmPrKczqXfH3/view?usp=sharing or contact erin.lewis@wcssd.org for more information.
Thank you for continuing to support West Carroll and the students who make our school special.
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
Today’s high school lunch hit the spot with a fully loaded hot dog bar, complete with all the toppings and a pot of chili that definitely helped warm us up on this chilly day.
Students had a great time putting together their own combos, and we saw some pretty creative topping pairings make an appearance. Shoutout to our cafeteria team for another fun and delicious lunch!
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll
20+ Employee Highlight: Sharlanda Emerson, 25+ Years of Service
"West Carroll County has always been my home and always will be."
Ms. Sharlanda Emerson’s connection to West Carroll started when she was a student walking these same halls. Today, we celebrate her for 25 years of service to our district!
Ms. Sharlanda began subbing in 2000 and has served as a Preschool Assistant since 2005. She says the most rewarding part of her job is the "full circle" moments—she has been here long enough that she is now teaching the children of her former students.
She strikes a perfect balance in the classroom: setting clear expectations to help students focus, while ensuring every child feels supported and understood.
Thank you, Ms. Sharlanda, for giving back to our community and making such a difference in so many lives.
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #TeacherTributeThursday
20+ Employee Highlight: Pam Bryant, Over 4 Decades of Service
Ms. Pam Bryant’s dedication to our students predates the West Carroll Special School District name itself!
Ms. Bryant began her career in 1979 in the Trezevant school district, which later became part of West Carroll. For over four decades, she has been a constant source of support, creativity, and generosity.
Whether she is mentoring a new teacher or lending a hand in the community, Ms. Bryant embodies the spirit of service. She is known for stepping in wherever she is needed, always with a smile and a solution.
Thank you, Ms. Bryant, for being a cornerstone of our district for 40+ years!
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSDSpotlight #WeAreWestCarroll #WCPS
#TeacherTributeThursday
Get ready to show your holiday spirit! From December 11–18, our Junior/Senior High students are celebrating with six festive dress-up days!
Here’s what’s coming up:
• Thursday – Clash of the Carolers (wear your grade's color!)
7th Snowflakes (white/blue)
8th Elves (red/green)
9th Grinch (Grinch green)
10th Reindeer (brown)
11th Frosty (white)
12th Santa (all red)
• Friday – Holiday Hits and Movies (dress as your favorite Christmas movie or song)
• Monday – Deck the Halls (dress as a Christmas tree, present, or lights)
• Tuesday – Tacky Tuesday ("Ugly" Christmas attire)
• Wednesday – Disney on Ice (dress as your favorite Disney character)
• Thursday – Buddy the Elf Day (match with a buddy in your best Christmas outfit!)
We can’t wait to see all the creativity and Christmas cheer! 🎅✨
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WCSSD #WestCarroll #WestCarrollJuniorSeniorHighSchool
The results are in!! Congratulations to our Senior Class for winning this year’s West Carroll Jr./Sr. High Christmas Tree Decorating Contest! Their theme, “Christmas Vacation,” was a crowd favorite and earned the most likes in our voting poll.
Our seniors showed creativity, teamwork, and plenty of holiday spirit. Great job to all our classes who participated, every tree was unique and full of hard work.
Way to go, Seniors! 🎉
#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
