Dr. Qualls attended Athens City Schools from 1954 through 1959, completing third through eighth grade at City Park Elementary. As an Athens City student, she played flutist in band, played six-on-six basketball as a forward, and enjoyed tennis and swimming. She also attended Camp Oo-tah-nee-noh-chee as a fifth and eighth grader and later returned as a junior counselor. Her fondest memory of her ACS years is especially meaningful as the district celebrates the camp's 75th anniversary. Dr. Qualls was part of the first group of students to experience overnight camp and was also in the class that helped select the name Oo-tah-nee-noh-chee. “I was in the first group to do overnights and in the class that helped decide on a name for Oo-tah-nee-noh-chee,” she recalled.
Dr. Qualls attended Athens City Schools from 1954 through 1959, completing third through eighth grade at City Park Elementary. As an Athens City student, she played flutist in band, played six-on-six basketball as a forward, and enjoyed tennis and swimming. She also attended Camp Oo-tah-nee-noh-chee as a fifth and eighth grader and later returned as a junior counselor. Her fondest memory of her ACS years is especially meaningful as the district celebrates the camp's 75th anniversary. Dr. Qualls was part of the first group of students to experience overnight camp and was also in the class that helped select the name Oo-tah-nee-noh-chee. “I was in the first group to do overnights and in the class that helped decide on a name for Oo-tah-nee-noh-chee,” she recalled.
Courtney currently serves as a UC Foundation Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she has received awards for both teaching and community service. She has also previously served as Graduate Director and Online Coordinator for her department. In addition to her academic work, Courtney is deeply involved in her community. She is the founder and chairperson of Love, Period., a ministry that provides menstrual products to individuals in McMinn, Meigs, and Polk counties. The organization distributes over 100,000 products each year. (If you need products or know of places where they can be distributed, you can reach out via email at loveperiod@stpaulsathens.org.) Courtney is married to Joe Turner and is a proud dog mom to Mini. Her advice to current Athens City Schools students is simple but meaningful: stay curious, read often, and be kind to yourself and others.
Juanita McClure Lewis retired after a successful 38-year corporate career. She now serves as Pastor of First United Presbyterian Church in Athens, an Adjunct Professor at Tennessee Wesleyan University, and remains an active community volunteer. She is especially passionate about ministry and supporting teenagers and young adults as they navigate life’s challenges. -Fully study and apply yourself in every class. Learn as much as you can, because it will pay off in high school and college. Self-discipline and good study skills will be a great asset in life.
Mr. Ben Wilson attended Athens City Schools from 1944 to 1951. He was a classroom teacher and physical education teacher at City Park and a physical education teacher and coach at Athens Junior High School. From 1977 to 1999, he served as Principal at Ingleside Elementary School. He also taught at Tennessee Wesleyan University from 1999 to 2010. Mr. Wilson retired from education in 2010. Mr. Wilson leaves the following advice to current students at Athens City schools. “Read, read, and then read more!”
Dr. Tyler Forrest, President of Tennessee Wesleyan University He is a believer that excellence is Athens City Schools! Current students, just like all of us who have gone before them, are blessed to be educated in one of the best school systems in the state. He hopes students will take advantage of the tremendous opportunities the system has to offer, learn all they can inside the classroom, and let the system help shape the person they will become.
Patrick Hammond, Chief Executive Officer, Emory Healthcare Network & Emory Healthcare Population Health Collaborative Chief Market Services Officer, Emory Healthcare, Inc. - Be willing to work hard to reach your goals.
Ronnie McMahan, Dean of Students for 9th/10th grade at Montgomery Bell Academy, Assistant Football Coach for 8th Grade, and Assistant Varsity Coach for High School Basketball- Nashville, - Believe and encourage one another to strive for greatness.
Courtney currently serves as a UC Foundation Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she has received awards for both teaching and community service. She has also previously served as Graduate Director and Online Coordinator for her department. In addition to her academic work, Courtney is deeply involved in her community. She is the founder and chairperson of Love, Period., a ministry that provides menstrual products to individuals in McMinn, Meigs, and Polk counties. The organization distributes over 100,000 products each year. (If you need products or know of places where they can be distributed, you can reach out via email at loveperiod@stpaulsathens.org.) Courtney is married to Joe Turner and is a proud dog mom to Mini. Her advice to current Athens City Schools students is simple but meaningful: stay curious, read often, and be kind to yourself and others.
Juanita McClure Lewis retired after a successful 38-year corporate career. She now serves as Pastor of First United Presbyterian Church in Athens, an Adjunct Professor at Tennessee Wesleyan University, and remains an active community volunteer. She is especially passionate about ministry and supporting teenagers and young adults as they navigate life’s challenges. -Fully study and apply yourself in every class. Learn as much as you can, because it will pay off in high school and college. Self-discipline and good study skills will be a great asset in life.
Mr. Ben Wilson attended Athens City Schools from 1944 to 1951. He was a classroom teacher and physical education teacher at City Park and a physical education teacher and coach at Athens Junior High School. From 1977 to 1999, he served as Principal at Ingleside Elementary School. He also taught at Tennessee Wesleyan University from 1999 to 2010. Mr. Wilson retired from education in 2010. Mr. Wilson leaves the following advice to current students at Athens City schools. “Read, read, and then read more!”
Dr. Tyler Forrest, President of Tennessee Wesleyan University He is a believer that excellence is Athens City Schools! Current students, just like all of us who have gone before them, are blessed to be educated in one of the best school systems in the state. He hopes students will take advantage of the tremendous opportunities the system has to offer, learn all they can inside the classroom, and let the system help shape the person they will become.
Mission
The mission of the Athens City Schools System is to provide high-quality education and well-rounded experiences for the health, mind, and body of all students.
Who We Are
We are a Pre K-8th grade school district specializing in educating the whole student, focusing on the academic and life-skills necessary for success.
