CLARKSVILLE — Two “lifelong learners” were given the spotlight during Monday’s Clinton-Massie School Board meeting.
Eighth-grade science teacher James Brady and student Danny Mefford were praised by Clinton-Massie Middle School Principal Lorinda Ottaway for their “dedication to learning.”
“(Danny) is constantly wanting to learn. Same with (Brady),” said Ottaway.
Brady is an inquiry-based teacher in that his students are learning through questioning, exploration, and problem-solving, Ottaway noted.
She said Brady convinced his colleagues to look into Project Based Learning (PBL) — a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem or challenge.
“He’s also willing to do anything for the kids,” she said. “We were struggling to find someone to help with our student council. He stepped up. He’s always willing to step up to help out students.”
With Danny Mefford, she heard a lot about him even before meeting him, including his achievement at the Invention Convention at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan this year for his invention, the Baby Saver.
Danny also won the Young Visionary Award which earned him a trip to Koch Research; she said Mefford appears in a marketing campaign video for them.
“Danny more recently — this is where I got to know him more — represented Clinton-Massie at a multi-district event called Ignite 3.0. This event talks about what’s possible in education and how education is transforming,” she said.
In his presentation, Danny Mefford spoke about “moving from good to great.” Ottaway said he was great and funny,
“He provided a student’s perspective of what education could look like and how it could enhance student learning achievement,” she said. “They were offering him jobs by the time he finished his slide.”
Brady and Mefford received a certificate from Ottaway along with a handshake from her, Superintendent Matt Baker, and the entire school board.
Also during the meeting:
• Board members and attendees spoke about the passing of teacher and coach Brian Mudd. They praised Mudd while also highlighting how the community came together to support one another.
Ottaway said, “They offered counselors for us. Those counselors sat in our building for two days, just waiting, talking, listening; it was very nice to see this community outpouring that you guys have created.” Superintendent Matt Baker echoed similar thoughts when he praised the community for their ongoing support of the school and of Mudd family.
• Board member Kathleen Norman highlighted and recognized the school bus transportation program for their hard work in getting the students to school in such a large district district. She also highlighted that Oct. 21-25 is National School Bus Safety Week.
