M A Y 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 4

of The Simon Youth Academy at Old Cockrill

The Pulse P O I N T S O F I N T E R E S T

Principal’s Council 1

Spring Graduates 1

Second Harvest Food Bank 2

Community Involvement Day 2

Earth Day 2-3

TN Tech Field Trip 3

Why We Love Mr. Atkeson 4

Community Partners 4

Mission and Vision 4

Class of Spring 2015

November 21 December 5 December 12 January 16 January 23 Sal Armour

Gilbert Arriaza Tycohyia Clark

Michael Edwards Melissa Masso

Shay Posey Danyel Snell

Charlie Zelaya

Jihan Al Madhi Karen Biggs Tylia Boykin Max Gander Bailey Gay

Janeth Gomez Destiny Jones

Mykea Knowles Chris Nevils Kerry Scott

Samuel Ackerman Sal Armour

Dasha Burge Jerell Harris

Antionette Jordan Jaquan Mason Nature Wesby Charlie Zelaya

Kayeba Armour Mavin Asamany Ladarius Blair Melvin Bryant

Kaila Davis Mariah Denson

Dustin Engelhardt Braden Harbin Zaynab Kalifa Lamar Leggs

ShaDaisha Martin Akjia Washington

Shamiran Alabdullah Kayeba Armour Mavin Asamany

Tiffany Crawford Jordan Hill

Cristian Iturriaga Grace Muniz

Monique Neely Anthony Sharp Joseph Smelley

Class of Spring 2015 Graduation

May 19 at 2:00 pm

Jihan Al Madhi Shamiran Alabdullah

Kayeba Ladonya India Armour Saladine Robert Mike Armour

Gilbert Yosue Arriaza Arthur Lee Batts III

Makayla Gabrielle Beasley Thomas Cornelius Bender

La'Darius Montez Blair John Thomas Stokes Bradford

Marquez Earnest Brannon Dasha Marie Burge

Ronica Ottazia-La'sha Cathey Ty'cohyia Desiree' Clark Tara Kritrina Coleman

Kaila Jamila Davis Mariah Marie Denson

Timothy Jomar Dodson Jr. Michael Wayne Edwards Jr.

Rowan Aaron Fagelman Larry Farmer

Bailey Kenneth Gay Ma-reshia Nicole Goldthreate

Janeth Gomez Garcia Braden Elijah B Harbin

Jerell Lee Harris Jr. Hannah Isabella Hrabovsky

Rebecca Maria Jaramillo Zachary Ryan Johnson

Sha'daisha Danielle Yvoone Martin William Jesse Martin Melissa Joann Masso

Jasmine Michelle' Owen Shakela Nikole Posey

Cristina Nicole Ramirez Glenairial Shanetell Richardson

Ronielle Nicole Robins Ivy Haven Rogers

Keshawna Hawana Sales Jontarius Ladon Sanders Anthony Lamont Sharp

Ever Mara-Elize Tasmin Shawell Eva Symone Simmons Miles Benjamin Slay

Joseph Eugene Smelley Jr. Kayline Cristina Smith-Irizarry

Natalie Rose Steinborn Claire Gillian Streuli

Elizabeth Tadeo Corrilo Akjia U'neciun Washington

Nature Monae' Wesby Trinity K Willis

Victoria Jewel Worley

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

7594 Old Hickory Boulevard

Nashville, TN 37189

Shamiran Alabdullah

Jihan Al Madhi

Kayeba Armour

Gilbert Arriaza

Saladine Armour

Arthur Batts

Makayla Beasley

Thomas Bender

La’Darius Blair

Marquez Brannon

John Bradford

Dasha Burge

Tycohyia Clark

Ronica Cathey

Tara Coleman

Kaila Davis

Mariah Denson

Timothy Dodson

Rowan Fagelman

Michael Edwards

Larry Farmer

Ma-reshia Goldthreate

Bailey Gay

Janeth Gomez

Braden Harbin

Jerell Harris

Hannah Hrabovsky

Zac Johnson

Rebecca Jaramillo

Sha'daisha Martin

Melissa Masso

Jesse Martin

Jasmine Owen

Shakela Posey

Cristina Ramirez

Glenn Richardson

Ivy Rogers

Ronielle Robins

Keshawna Sales

Anthony Sharp

Jontarius Sanders

Ever Shawell

Eva Simmons

Miles Slay

Joseph Smelley

Natalie Steinborn

Kayline Smith-Irizarry

Claire Streuli

Akjia Washington

Elizabeth Tadeo Corrilo

Nature Wesby

Trinity Willis

Victoria Worley

T H E P U L S E

P A G E 2

V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 2

P A G E 3

T H E P U L S E

P A G E 4

Administration: Bill Warren, Principal Carl Carter, Assistant Principal Tammy Nash, School Counselor

The Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, color, age, and/or disability in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, or activities. MNPS does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. Request for alternate format: 1. To request this infor-mation in an alternate format, please contact your building principal or department head. 2. Request for auxiliary aids at a school building. Individuals who need auxiliary aids and services are to make their request known to the building principal or department head prior to the date it is needed. (Interpreters for the deaf or hard of hearing must be requested forty-eight {48} hours prior to the event).

You’re a great teacher with a rich soul. You are dedicated to your students and teaching. You have shown me the upmost kindness. I thank you. I also thank you for supporting my daughter in geometry. You did not have to help her but you still chose to for me. With great appreciation, -Araz Faraj

One of the kindest and most

considerate people I've ever

known, Dan takes the time

to think through problems

large and small but is quick

to act when he is working to

remedy a bad situa-

tion. Plus, he is on his way

to becoming a gardener!

-Buffy Holton

Mr. A is

incredible. He is by

far one of the most ex-

ceptional people I've

ever met. H

is dedication

to the development and

advancement of

young

people is unparalleled, and

his students g

reatly benefit

from his wisdom and

care. His h

as been a great

mentor and friend, and he

is highly deserving of the

title Teacher of the Year!

-Scott Duffy

Dan is extraordinary. He keeps getting better and

better. He teaches kids the skills they need and

gives them confidence in a subject where many

have never before experienced success. He is a

once in a lifetime math wizard. Fortunately for us,

he is mentoring Mr. Duffy who is right behind

him. I am honored to be connected to such a good,

humble, giving person and educator. Golf clap to

our Teacher of the Year. -Bill Warren

Mr. Warren and Mr. Atkeson at the

Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet.

I have known Dan since 2009. He has always

been a true teacher both in the classroom and in

life. I know that he is intelligent enough to be

somewhere else enjoying prestige and wealth but

he chooses to be here because he genuinely cares

about students. He is certainly deserving of this

honor and I am proud to have him represent The

Academy. -Tammy Nash

Mr. Atkeson receives his “Teacher of the Year” plaque from Dr. Register as news anchor,

Lelan Statom, Channel 5, announces his name.

I cannot say enough

good things about

Mr. Atkeson. He is

one of the finest

young men I have

ever known. He

places students first

and they know it. I

consider myself very

lucky to be able to

work with him.

-Susan Martin

A teacher can be measured by student and faculty respect. In Mr. A’s case, he is immeasurable! Congratulations Teacher of the Year—well deserved! -Cyndi Weathers-Logoleo

Mr. A is a very kind person who has the patience of a saint. -Vicky Cotten

Dan truly believes all

students can learn. I

know this not by his

words, but by his actions.

He has routinely shown

many students that they

are capable of much more

than they ever would

have thought they were

capable of before coming

to The Academy.

-Julie Crowe

We are a Simon Youth and National Dropout Prevention Center Model ProgramWe are a Simon Youth and National Dropout Prevention Center Model Program

Dan is awesome! The excellence he

brings to our faculty is tremendous. We

couldn’t be us without him.

-Kelley Gibbs

OUTSTANDING!!! -Lynn Nordstrom

Dan is an excellent

teacher. He is always

willing to go above

and beyond to assure

that EVERY student

is successful.

-Tabitha Batson

Mr. Atkeson is an impressive teacher

to observe. The relationships that he

builds with students and the quality of

instruction that he delivers is amazing!

-Carl Carter