BEARDEN HIGH SCHOOL
FOUNDATION
BEARDEN HIGH SCHOOL
FOUNDATION
Great Leadership + Great Community = Great School!
As we enter a new school year, the Bearden community finds itself welcoming a new leader at Bearden for the first time in ten years. My family feels so blessed that our oldest daughter began Bearden the same year that Dr. John Bartlett became principal. We were not certain what that meant then, but now we know we could not have
asked for a better leader at Bearden while our three daughters were there. Dr. Bartlett consistently improved Bearden throughout his tenure, making it one of the top 20 schools in Tennessee and nationally ranked as a school of excellence. Thank you for all your tireless and consistent leadership, Dr. B!
Now as our youngest daughter enters her senior year, Bearden once again welcomes new leadership as Jason Myers begins his role as Bearden’s next principal.
We are excited to see how he will continue to build on the solid foundation in place at Bearden High School. He has
already shared that he is committed to supporting Bearden’s teachers in every way he can to ensure they have the resources needed to deliver our students the great education they deserve. The Bearden Foundation, with the support of the Bearden community, stands ready to assist in that endeavor. Thank you to every supporter of the Bearden High School Foundation who helps make it possible to provide
that support for the ultimate benefit of the students at Bearden. Bearden has the best alumni and most supportive community, and because of that, I fully expect that the best is yet to come for the next generation of students to walk the halls of Bearden High School.
By Buddy Pelot, BHS Foundation President
Bearden HS Class of 1982
Myers called to Principal’s Office
I am humbled and honored to be joining your community as the principal of Bearden High School and I’d like to share a few things so you can get to know me better personally and professionally.
I have always been passionate about teaching and learning. While my career path led me into administration, I will always feel most at home when working directly with students. My pledge to you is that I will always treat your children as I expect my own children to be treated at school.
During my time in education, I’ve worked in many capacities, but most of my career has been spent working with high school students. My career began at Lenoir City High School in 2004, working with the in school suspension program and coaching football and track and field. In 2008, I moved to Fulton High School to be a special education teacher while continuing coaching. I was appointed to a lead teacher position at Fulton in 2011, and my focus shifted to working with both teachers and students.
I became assistant principal at West High School in 2012 and focused on freshman transition supports before serving as curriculum principal in 2015. I was appointed principal of Knoxville Adaptive Education Center in 2016 and learned how schools could serve the whole child. Each position I have held has taught me countless lessons related to serving students and school communities. I believe that family is a blessing and should always be a priority. I have been married to my wife, Christie, for 15 years and have three daughters. I look forward to learning all about you, your school, and your community. I am truly excited to say…Go Bulldogs!
Jason Myers
Principal, Bearden High School
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Thanks to the generosity of the Bearden community, the Foundation has raised more than $1,000,000 for Bearden High School since the Foundation was established in 1998. The Foundation’s primary fundraising vehicles consist of an outreach campaign in the fall to every currently enrolled Bearden family and the Bearden Golf Classic in the spring. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to help support the work of the Bearden Foundation. Every dollar makes a difference at Bearden High School!
The Foundation’s Golf Classic raises money for Bearden students and teachers.
Funds raised by the Foundation aid a wide variety of clubs and projects.
Make a lasting impression at your alma mater with a gift to Bearden High School.
The Foundation’s Golf Classic raises money for Bearden students and teachers.
Make a Donation to the Foundation with PayPal
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Darren Welch, Treasurer
Foundation Board of Directors
Bearden High School Foundation
8352 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
865-539-7800
2018 ALUMNI OF THE YEAR
Dr. David Harris, Class of 1971
Voicing Support: Announcing soccers games is just one of the many ways Dr. David Harris gives back to his alma mater.
Dr. David Harris, Jr, class of 1971, was recognized as the Bearden High School Alumnus of the Year for 2018 at Bearden’s graduation ceremonies in May at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Harris was his class Salutatorian, an Eagle Scout, and a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. After obtaining BA and MD degrees from the University of Tennessee, he served on active duty in the United States Navy from 1979 to 1989, culminating with research on high altitude eye disease on Mount Everest. He returned to Knoxville and transferred to the Navy Reserve, retiring as a Captain in 1999. During his military career, he was awarded the Navy Commendation, Achievement, Expeditionary, and Expert Rifle Medals.
Harris is now Clinical Professor and Chief of Ophthalmology at UT Medical Center and Medical Director of the East Tennessee Lions Eye Bank. He frequently volunteers with Knoxville Interfaith Clinic and Remote Area Medical. He is a Charter Member of the Bearden High School Foundation Board, serving since 1997, and since 1999 has been heard throughout the year as PA announcer for the Bearden boys and girls soccer teams.
Community is an essential part of Bearden’s success
Along with being a resource for Bearden class reunions and Bearden’s Retired Active Teachers, the Foundation serves as a way for Bearden alumni to give back to their alma mater. Much of the Foundation’s work is made possible through the creative thinking and generosity of our alumni community.
The Foundation conducts its Alumni Giving Campaign each winter, generating thousands of dollars for the school. Thank you to the many Bulldog alumni who have contributed! If you are a Bearden alum and open to the idea of making a lasting difference in the lives of Bearden students, please contact the Bearden Foundation.
Scholarship honors former Bearden teacher
In 2010, Randy and Jenny Houbler Boyd began funding a scholarship in honor of former Bearden teacher Claude Houbler to send Bearden’s annual contingent of students to the Tennessee Girls and Boys State conventions. Born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Houbler enlisted in the Army at 20 and served from 1940 until 1961. He was a paratrooper and served in Japan, Korea, Germany and Italy before retiring with the rank of Major. Houbler enrolled at the University of Tennessee to earn his Education degree and after graduating, he accepted a teaching job at Bearden in 1964 until he retired in 1983. "The Major" was well known by his ]
