​The Cheatham County School District has named Jennifer Reist as the new academic director at Sycamore High School.
 
Reist, who currently teaches physical science at SHS, will begin her new position July 1.
 
She has served as a facilitator for the Tennessee Department of Education’s CTE (Career and Technical Education) New Teaching Training since 2015.
 
Reist also served on the TDOE Textbook Adoption Committee in 2016-2017 for health science courses.
 
Before joining Cheatham County Schools, she was a health science teacher from 2011 to 2016 at Hunters Lane High School in Nashville.
 
While with Metro Nashville Schools, she served as the Health Science Cluster Lead from 2014 to 2016, supporting health science teachers and implementing new state standards, dual credit, industry certifications, new teacher support and program development. 
 
Reist earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 2004 and her Master in Arts degree in Teaching from Belmont University in 2006.
 
She was named Metro Nashville Public Schools Blue Ribbon Teacher of the Year in 2015, the Jerry Robertson Tennessee Athletic Trainer Society Educator of the Year in 2016 and Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association 2017 Professional Educator Award.
 
“I am excited for this new opportunity. It has been a pleasure to work with the students of Sycamore this year, and I look forward to being able to better support teachers in their efforts to prepare students for post-secondary and career success,” Reist said.
 
Reist and her husband, Kendel, have three children and live in Ashland City. 

​The Cheatham County School District has named Amanda Tupper as the new academic specialist at Kingston Springs Elementary School.
 
Tupper replaces Dr. Sherry Gibbs, who retired this year.
 
Tupper began her Cheatham County teaching career in 2006 at Sycamore Middle School before transitioning to Ashland City Elementary School.
 
She taught kindergarten and fourth grade at ACES. She then transferred to Pleasant View Elementary School, where she has taught first and second grades.
 
Tupper, a graduate of Sycamore High School, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Austin Peay State University. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from Austin Peay State University as well.
 
She was voted Best Teacher in Cheatham County in 2007-2008 and is a recipient of awards from the Tennessee Education Association.
 
She has served in multiple leadership roles during her years of teaching. She is a graduate of the Aspiring Administrators Academy.
 
“I am looking forward to working in such a wonderful community. I have giant shoes to fill in replacing Ms. Sherry Gibbs, but I am thrilled to becoming an active member of the Kingston Springs Elementary family,” she said.
 
Tupper and her husband, Jordan, and two daughters, Cora and Ruthanne, live in Pleasant View.

The Cheatham County School District has named Shanon Pickard as its new transportation supervisor.
 
Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, the district is separating the maintenance and transportation supervisor position. Cal Blacker, who currently serves in the dual position, will continue as the maintenance supervisor.
 
Pickard, the assistant director of Cheatham County 911, will begin his new duties July 1.
 
A lifelong resident of Cheatham County, Pickard, who lives in Kingston Springs, attended Pegram Elementary, Harpeth Middle and Harpeth High schools.
 
He began his work career at the Cheatham County Emergency Medical Services as an EMT, and he has worked for the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office. He was the first part-time dispatcher for Cheatham County 911 when it was created in 1988.
 
He eventually moved on to the Tennessee Department of Safety, where he worked in the communications division for 17 years.
 
In June 2013, he returned to Cheatham County 911 as the assistant director.
 
Pickard, who represents the sixth district on the Cheatham County Commission, served as a Cheatham County bus driver for about 10 years.
 
“I am excited for the opportunity to work for the Cheatham County School District in this new role,” Pickard said. “I look forward to working with our bus drivers to provide Cheatham County students with safe, enjoyable and reliable transportation.”

​The Cheatham County School District has named Robyn Miller as the new principal of Sycamore Middle School.
 
Miller, the school’s current assistant principal, will replace Lisa Young, who is retiring.
 
She will begin her new duties July 1.
 
Miller, a 1990 graduate of Jo Byrns High School, received her bachelor’s degree in education from Austin Peay State University in 1994 and her master’s degree in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University in 1994.
 
Miller has been in the education field for 22 years – all at SMS.
 
While at SMS, she has taught fifth and eighth grades and served as an instructional assistant principal and an academic coach. She has been the school’s assistant principal since 2009.
 
Miller said, “I am looking forward to this opportunity. I hope to pick up where Mrs. Young is leaving and continue the tradition of success we have at Sycamore.  My hope is for a seamless transition and to keep our momentum moving forward in all aspects of school life. I appreciate the opportunity and trust being placed on me in this position, and I look forward to working with our parents, teachers, students and community in this new role. "
 
She is married to Keith Miller, the principal at Pleasant View Elementary School. They have three children, Hayden, Sam and Sara.
 
Interim Director of Schools Stacy Brinkley said Miller will be an asset to SMS.
 
“Robyn’s entire career has been at Sycamore Middle School so she already has a strong connection to the community. Under her leadership, the school will continue to succeed,” she said. “Robyn is committed to supporting the positive culture that already exists at Sycamore.”
 
A new assistant principal at SMS has not yet been named.

Alexis Claire “Lexi” Walsh is the valedictorian for Sycamore High School’s Class of 2017.

She is the daughter of Teresa Walsh and Jeff Walsh.

Lexi has held leadership positions in various extracurricular activities throughout her high school career such as senior officer of National Honor Society, co-president of Tri-M Music Honor Society, and co-section leader of the 2016 War Eagle Marching Band.

She was also chosen by Sycamore High School staff to participate in the 2015 Austin Peay State University Honor Band, the 2016 Youth Leadership Cheatham County class, and the 2016-2017 Austin Peay State University Math Competitions.

The highlight of her high school career has been her involvement in the marching band program at Sycamore, as well as her involvement in helping the community through numerous volunteer opportunities.

Lexi has been awarded the Presidential Scholarship from Austin Peay State University, where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in the field of biology. She later plans to attain a Doctorate in Medicine with a specialty in neuroscience.
 
Richard Gordon Gillingham III is the salutatorian of the Sycamore High School Class of 2017.

He is the son of Rick and Tracy Gillingham.

Gillingham was a member of the National Honor Society. He ran track and cross country for two years and was a member of the soccer team for two years and football team for one year.

He has been awarded a University Academic Service Scholarship and Renaissance Engineer Scholarship.

“The highlight of my high school career was playing sports - definitely track,” he said.

He plans to attend Tennessee Tech University and major in mechanical engineering.
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“After college, I hope to join a manufacturing company such as Boeing and advance to CEO,” he said.

Tristan Davenport is the valedictorian of the Harpeth High School Class of 2017.

He is the son of Aaron and Jennifer Davenport.

Davenport was in the HHS Band of Blue for four years and served as Band Council president and sergeant-in-arms for one year each.

He was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, D and D Club and Magic Club, and he served as junior class vice president.

Davenport received many band-related awards, including Top Marcher as a junior, Top Sophomore and Most Improved Musician as a freshman.

He earned Top Freshman and top ACT Score awards at the Cheatham County Academic Excellence Award program.

Davenport plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and major in pre-medical.

“I want to transfer to the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis. Once I’ve graduated and have enough medical practice under my belt, I want to open my own neurosurgery practice,” he said.
 
Jordan Baldwin is the salutatorian of the Harpeth High School Class of 2017.

She is the daughter of David Baldwin and Jenny Baldwin.

Baldwin played volleyball for the Lady Indians for four years and earned many awards during her four-year career.

She was named All-District her sophomore and junior years, All-District Tournament her sophomore, junior and senior years, All-Region her sophomore and junior years; All-District Most Valuable Player her senior year and Team MVP her junior year.

Baldwin was a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Anatomy Club and Sign Language Club. She also played travel volleyball for four years.

She earned Top Sophomore and Top Junior awards at the Cheatham County Academic Excellence Award program.

Baldwin plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and has not decided on a major.
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“The highlight of my high school career was going to the state tournament for volleyball in 2014,” she said.