South Holston Lake in Tennessee

An education professional who has worked for the Bristol Tennessee City Schools for more than 15 years, Cherith Roberts has served as an assistant principal and as a teacher of fifth and sixth grade students. In addition, Cherith Roberts enjoys spending time with her family on South Holston Lake on their pontoon boat.

A reservoir that covers nearly 7,600 acres, South Holston Lake is considered one of the top lakes in Tennessee. Moreover, the 640,000-acre Cherokee National Forest, which hosts many hiking trails, including part of the Appalachian Trail, borders more than half of the lake’s shoreline.

South Holston Lake is home to numerous fish species, including black bass, catfish, bluegill, sunfish, and walleye and is a favorite of fly fishermen. Aside from fishing, visitors can enjoy activities such as canoeing and jet skiing, as well as riding horses and caving in nearby areas. The lake also offers opportunities for a variety of organized recreational events that range from boat races to the annual Independence Day fireworks display.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - A Brief Overview

For 10 years, Cherith Roberts served as assistant principal of Holston View Elementary School in Bristol, Tennessee. While serving as assistant principal, Cherith Roberts held responsibilities as the school’s Section 504 coordinator. 

A federal statute contained in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The law applies to all federally funded activities, programs, and organizations, including public schools. Disabilities defined under Section 504 include any physical or mental impairment that limits a person’s ability to take part in at least one major life activity. 

In an educational setting, Section 504 is applied using a school-created blueprint commonly referred to as a 504 plan. The ultimate goal of the plan is to remove barriers to learning so that students with disabilities can attain academic success while working alongside other students. 

To meet this goal, students under 504 plans are given accommodations that can include extra time on tests and assignments, visual aids, and flexible settings. Some students also receive special services such as speech therapy or behavior interventions. Students with 504 plans are always instructed in a regular classroom with the rest of their peers.

Education Trends to Watch in 2018

Holder of an EdD from East Tennessee State University, Dr. Cherith Roberts most recently served as assistant principal at Holston View Elementary School in Bristol, Tennessee. As part of her responsibilities as an educator and administrator, Dr. Cherith Roberts keeps up to date with emerging trends in education. 
Starting off a new year brings with it the opportunity to look at some of the most recent developments that have the potential to shape the field of education. One of these is the growing movement of “maker spaces” in schools. The federal government has begun investing more money in STEM-based education. Some of these resources are enabling schools to begin creating special areas in their facilities where students can work hands-on with new technologies, allowing them to gain knowledge while also flexing their creative muscles.

One technology that looks poised to have an impact on education in 2018 is augmented reality (AR). Games like Pokemon Go already make use of this technology, but it has yet to realize its full potential as an educational tool. Those touting AR say it can be used to help students and teachers render design examples in real time on any number of devices. This type of real-time feedback can be invaluable for students in architecture, engineering, and other programs.