All the teachers and support staff report back to school on Monday, August 3rd and will participate in professional learning communities, and are preparing their classrooms for students and the beginning of school on Tuesday, August 11th.  Mrs. Diana Hardin is our new English teacher this year.  Mrs. Hardin has taught at the middle school, high school and college levels.  She is married to Tom and they have two children that both will be attending Madison. The Hardin family moved from Texas, however they lived in the Madison area and so are familiar with the school and Middle Tennessee.

For a change of pace this summer Mr. Harvey again worked as the scientist at Indian Creek Camp engaging campers with fun science experiences.  Mr. Ramkissoon moved his classroom to where Mrs. Gatling taught last year but was able to relax and a baseball game at Turner Field between the Braves and the Cubs.  The Cubs won.  Mr. McKenzie worked all summer and also moved his classroom to where Mr. Ramkissoon was last year.  He is excited about the 3-D printer his has installed in the computer lab.  Mr. Hamberger went to a conference in Arizona to learn about a new product named Naviance that students will be using this year to help transition from elementary to college and career choices.  The program help students identify students strengths and passions.  Next those passions are linked to a career using Road Nation, video segements of people in careers telling their stories on how they arrived at that job.  After viewing the Roadtrip Nation students will be asked to choose a college major and plan a roadtrip of there own.  Students will be able to access a wealth of information including admissions policies and costs on all United States community colleges as well as universities.  Parents will also have access to this information.

Everyone is excited to start another school year and are looking forward to the start of school and seeing the students.

The 2015-16 school year is just around the corner and the campus is being readied for staff and students.  The gymnasium was the focal point of the campus enhancement plan this past year as new siding replaced worn and rusting sheet metal.  Also there is new and improved lighting so that there are no dark spots when playing volleyball.  The Class of 2015 with their monies purchased a sign that is placed on the side of the gym identifying it as the home of the Knights at Madison Academy.  These projects were completed by monies donated by our alumni and friends to the Academy School Enhancement Plan (SEP).
In the administration building, new desks have been purchased for use in classrooms.  There is a shift of classrooms this year.  Mr. McKenzie’s room is now the Spanish room and he has moved to where Mr. Ramkissoon taught History classes last year.  So the computer lab/classroom across from the library will be used by Mr. McKenzie.  Mr. Ramkissoon moved to the former English room.  He is enjoying the space and plans to hang many flags around the room.  English classes will be held in the old Life Skills classroom.  The furniture was removed and desks brought in.  Our new English teacher, Mrs. Hardin has already organized the space and is looking forward to meeting all the students.
Pre-session for the staff begins August 3rd with meetings, classroom time, and some fun activities planned.  Classes start August 11th.