Buncombe County Schools

Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy was recognized by the North Carolina State Board of Education as a "STEM School of Distinction". Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson, Principal Will Thrasher, and several Nesbitt teachers joined North Carolina Public Schools Superintendent Catherine Truitt to celebrate the achievement. Nesbitt Discovery Academy receives this distinction after participating in a rigorous application and review process. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, "These recognized schools represent the very best in STEM education in North Carolina which exemplify outstanding leadership and learning and empower keen creative thinking, reasoning, and teamwork: the underpinnings of 21st-century skills. In addition to implementing the essential STEM Attributes needed to be successful in today's society." Congratulations - Go Chargers!

At T.C. Roberson High School, the woodworking classroom is more than just a space filled with sawdust and tools - it’s a place of empowerment, creativity, and inspiration. Leading the charge is Madison Cawthon, the school’s dedicated Career and Technical Education (CTE) woodworking teacher, who was named the 2024 CTE Teacher of the Year for Buncombe County Schools. Cawthon’s impact reaches far beyond her exceptional teaching skills. In a field traditionally dominated by men, she has become a beacon of inspiration for female students. “I first took this class, because I wanted to try building bigger things,” said senior Grace Dzialo. “From taking the class I have discovered that I love working with power tools. Plus Ms. Cawthon has really inspired me to not only look at this class like a trade, but also as a way to make art with wood.” Ms. Cawthon’s commitment to students goes beyond the curriculum. Her approach to teaching emphasizes inclusivity and encouragement, fostering a learning environment where all students feel welcome and capable of achieving their best. “I have definitely seen an increase in female participation in woodworking, particularly with level one students who want to continue pursuing the woodworking pathway through level two, and in some cases, advanced studies,” she said. “I strive to meet students where they are and learn alongside them when necessary to meet their goals. Each of my students has gifts that are honed in the woodworking classroom and shop; their strengths are recognized, their hobbies celebrated, and their futures given a foundation of both practicality and creativity.” Her love and passion for the Rams is why Principal Nathan Allison said she is an important figure at the school. Ms. Cawthon is a trailblazer in every sense of the word,” he explained. “Her passion for woodworking and her commitment to empowering all students is truly inspiring. She has not only elevated our CTE program, but has also become a role model, showing our students that with the right mentorship and support they can break barriers and achieve anything.” Ms. Cawthon’s recognition as the CTE Teacher of the Year for Buncombe County Schools (BCS) is a testament to her dedication, passion, and the profound impact she has on her students and the school community. BCS is proud of all the educators and staff that work daily to make a difference for all students.

For 35 years and counting, Donald Roberts has been a constant presence on the roads in Buncombe County, guiding his trusty school bus through snow, rain and sunshine to get students safely to and from school. He is dedicated to his job and the children he transports daily.? Thanks to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for providing four new school buses to Buncombe County Schools (BCS), Donald was surprised with a new set of wheels.? “Donald spends eight hours a day on a school bus logging countless miles,” said BCS Director of Transportation, Jeremy Stowe. “We thought it would be great to put a new school bus with him.” Every morning, Donald wakes up before dawn as he gets himself and his bus ready for another school day. He is one of the first friendly faces students see at school in the morning, and the last school employee of the day. When Mr. Stowe showed up at North Buncombe High School with the announcement of a new bus, Donald was filled with emotions and at a loss for words .? “Oh I love this,” he said. “It’s really bright and nice. It’s good, I enjoy it!” In the 35 years that Donald has been driving buses, this was the second brand-new bus he has received. He is ready to put many miles on the new ride as students enjoy it for years to come.? Replacing old buses with new ones is a bit of a process for Mr. Stowe.? “We have a variety of buses that are acquiring miles everyday and some have reached their length of service,” he explained. “We manage and record all the miles everyday for every school bus. Automatically any bus over 300,000 miles, along with a bus that is 15 years old and 250,000, or 20 years old with 150,000 will be replaced by the state. So right now maybe your child’s bus may get moved around, but we will have a good bus in place for your child.”

A teacher rewarded her students’ good deeds by letting them give her a special haircut. Kelly Kanelos, who teaches Child Development at A.C. Reynolds High School, asked her students to bring in diapers, wipes, and other newborn necessities for families in need during the?Baby Shower Challenge. The infant supply drive was part of a competition with other Buncombe County Schools Family and Consumer Sciences classes. “I told my students if Reynolds won, and collected more than the other schools, they could cut my hair,” Kanelos said. “They did, so I kept my end of the bargain.” Kanelos had to wait to make good on the deal, though, until her hair grew a little longer. She wanted to donate to the organization?Children With Hair Loss. The nonprofit provides custom hair pieces for children who’ve lost hair through cancer treatments or from severe burns. “It was a good lesson in empathy,” Kanelos shared. “I loved seeing my students excited every time our donation pile grew. Then, getting to teach them about the work of Children With Hair Loss showed them how they could help even more people.” Senior Franco Beltran-Chavez was selected to give Ms. Kanelos her haircut in front of the entire student body during A.C. Reynolds High School’s final pep rally of the school year. #BCS #WeAreBCS #BCSadvantage #the828 #828isGreat #WNC #AVLtoday #Asheville #AVL #AshevilleMoms #PublicSchoolProud #NCPublicSchools #EveryoneIsWelcome #ourkidsrock #ourstaffrocks #makingmemories #togetherwerise

Buncombe County Schools students have earned awards for building healthy ecosystems, diagnosing dogs, and refining roller coasters - all through the technology of Gizmos, a science simulation program used in classrooms across the country. Gizmos representatives visited BCS science teachers to recognize them for using the tool to help students master science concepts. “The Gizmos that are used in the classroom allow teachers to present students with scenarios or experiments that can be difficult to show in a classroom,” shared BCS Science Specialist Kate Whittier. “These digital interactives help to bring a better understanding of the concept being learned by allowing students to explore.” The recognitions for Gizmo usage awarded to Buncombe County Schools this year are: Top High School: Erwin High School Top High School Teacher: Walden Corry, Buncombe County Early College Top Middle School: Cane Creek Middle School Top Middle School Teacher: John Bell, Cane Creek Middle School Top Elementary School: Fairview Elementary School Top Elementary School Teacher: Megan Fulkerson, Fairview Elementary School Other teachers in the top ten include: Beth Crenshaw, Koontz Intermediate School Ashley Gillan, Owen Middle School Jaime Goodwin, Koontz Intermediate School Kim Lachler, Koontz Intermediate School Alyson Miner, Cane Creek Middle School Chad Noteboom, Owen Middle School Melissa Wilson, North Buncombe Middle School

We're #hiring a new Educator Career Fair – March 8th (Asheville, NC) in Asheville, North Carolina. Apply today or share this post with your network.

???????????????As students start thinking about next year’s classes, we’re highlighting BCS high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities. BCS students learn and apply skills to sample a variety of careers, thanks to our CTE teachers who bring real world experiences to classrooms. #BCS #TogetherWeRise #CTE #CTEMonth #CareerandCollege #studentsuccess #21stcenturyskills #PublicSchoolProud #CTEforNC NC Career and Technical Education

?? Congratulations!

BCS BOARD OF EDUCATION WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS: Four members have been sworn-in to new terms on the Buncombe County Board of Education. The Board welcomed new members Rev. Charles Martin, representing the At-Large District, and Greg Cheatham, representing District 2, at its December meeting. Rev. Martin is a graduate of A.C. Reynolds High School and Beulah Heights University. He's the senior pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. He and his wife have two children. Mr. Cheatham is a retired BCS elementary teacher and the father of two BCS graduates. He currently serves as an Asheville firefighter. He and his wife live in Black Mountain. Returning representatives Ann Franklin of District 1 and Amy Churchill of District 4 were also sworn-in. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Alan Thornburg presided. Those four Board members join members Rob Elliot of District 3, Judy Lewis of District 5, and Kim Plemmons of District 6 in completing the Board. The Board elected Mr. Elliot as Chair and Ms. Churchill as Vice-Chair.

Buncombe County School buses travel 15,800 miles daily. This week, there was a special surprise for a driver who goes the extra mile for her students. Sheila Donahue of A.C. Reynolds Middle School and A.C. Reynolds High School has been named the 2024 Buncombe County Schools Bus Driver of the Year. “Students love seeing Ms. Donahue’s smile when they start their school day,” said BCS Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson. “We’re so thankful for her dedication to Reynolds families.” Dr. Jackson was joined by Reynolds Middle Principal Stanley Wheless, Assistant Superintendent Joe Hough, and BCS Transportation Director Jeremy Stowe, waiting at the bus drop-off area to surprise Ms. Donahue. “Ms. Donahue is on a six-year streak of perfect attendance,” Hough shared, a statistic Donahue herself had not realized. “We appreciate her dedication to the students and schools.” “The kids are the entire reason I do this,” said Donahue. “I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t love these kids.” Bus drivers play a critical role in a child’s education, far beyond safely getting them to and from their schools. “A bus driver is often the first person outside the family a student sees in the morning, and the last person they see before returning home,” said Stowe. “They help kids feel good about what’s ahead for them in school that day. In the afternoon, send them home with positivity.” Congratulations, Ms. Donahue, and thanks to all of our BCS bus drivers for their service this year! If you would like to make a difference and become a BCS bus driver, visit our?Careers?page or call 828-232-4240.