Timpson ISD Teacher Spotlights: Jourden, Metcalf, Samford

April 21, 2017 - Timpson ISD Bear Update

Teacher Spotlight - Mrs. Teresa Jourden is the biology, anatomy & physiology teacher at Timpson High School. She has taught at THS for three years. Mrs. Jourden is a hands-on teacher encouraging students to conduct experiments, participate in labs and do problem solving to find answers and solutions. Mrs. Jourden expands her own knowledge of her subjects and instructional methods by attending and presenting at regional and state workshops and conferences. The favorite part of her job is being around students. She loves being a part of their education. She hope that while she is teaching science she also will play a big role in helping students develop high character and a work ethic that will allow them to succeed once they graduate. Her own high moral character and strong work ethic allows her to be an outstanding role model to her students. This year Mrs. Jourden is helping coach athletics and she enjoys getting to see first-hand how the athletes’ hard work pays off. She says the Lady Bears work very hard through the summer and school year to be successful and their efforts do not go unnoticed. She says it is such fun to be around such great young ladies. Ms. Jourden has served as junior and senior class sponsor, fellowship of Christian athletes sponsor, and has coached the Science UIL Team for 3 years. She and her family enjoy being part of Timpson ISD and are thankful and blessed to call this home. We are thankful and blessed to have such a dedicated, hardworking teacher and coach in Mrs. Jourden. Thank you for all you do.

Teacher Spotlight – Charlotte Metcalf is the Timpson High School counselor. This is her ninth year at Timpson High School. She taught biology for three years and has been counselor for six years. Watching her students grow into young adults and learning to take responsibility for themselves in academics, athletics and other extra-curricular activities is the favorite part of her job. She loves to see the students’ personality and self-confidence blossom by the time they graduate. Mrs. Metcalf has also been instrumental in helping grow the TISD Collegiate Center program by helping students select college classes and helping develop the program so that it fits the specific needs of TISD students. She stresses to students the importance of taking advantage of the opportunity this provides to students to graduate with two years of college credit or a vocational/technical license that will have students job ready. Mrs. Metcalf is always willing to help others including students and staff. Her friendly and encouraging personality and her strong work ethic allow her to reach out to students and staff who trust her to help them in many areas. Mrs. Metcalf in addition to her busy schedule also helps sponsor the Shelby County Junior Chamber of Commerce and the THSA Youth Advisory Council. Outside of school, Mrs. Metcalf loves to be with her family in Timpson and her parents in San Augustine. She said her family spends a lot of time outdoors with horses, cattle, flowerbeds and gardening in the spring and summer. She also loves her church family and playing the piano in church. Thank you Mrs. Metcalf for being a dedicated counselor and your support to students and staff.

Staff Spotlight – Tina Samford has many job responsibilities at Timpson High School. She oversees the high school library, is district textbook coordinator, online dual credit monitor, Beta Club and Book Club sponsor. She also volunteers to chaperone senior class activities. Mrs. Samford has a personal love for reading and wants to encourage this love for reading in students. She encourages students to check books out of the library and gets student input on the types of books they enjoy reading so she can include these books in the library selections. She also gives the students the opportunity to discuss what they read with book club meetings and provide book related field trips that have included seeing movies of books they have read. She is also part of the TISD Collegiate Center team that is encouraging students to take dual credit classes with the goal of earning a two year college associates degree before graduating from high school. She oversees the online dual credit program monitoring students grades, progress and gets the academic help from teachers as needed. Mrs. Samford’s oversight and involvement in this program is a big reason our students have been so successful in earning college course credit while in high school. Mrs. Samford loves her job and considers herself extremely lucky to do what she gets to do. She enjoys being busy and active. She says working with students keeps her young! She went on to say the only downside of her job is saying goodbye to graduates to whom she has become attached. Although Mrs. Samford has a demanding schedule, she is always available to help others. For that and so much more, we appreciate all that Mrs. Samford does for our students and staff.