by Diana Rodriguez and Miriam Gagovski
Have you ever wondered what Mr.Luker likes, what his goals are for the school, or even what he was like in middle school? In a recent interview, Mr. Luker answered some of those questions for us.
Mr. Luker spends his free time at high school games and fishing. In his early teaching career, he taught here at SMS for 3 years and enjoyed the experience. He likes working with kids and helping families, and these are some of the reasons why he wanted to be a principal. Mr. Luker began his administrative career as a principal at David Youree Elementary School before coming to
SMS two years ago.
When he was in middle school, Mr.Luker was like many SMS students. He recalls, ''Middle was hard, but I had good grades. But I didn't study as much as I should have. I liked making friends, and liked my teachers. My favorite teacher was my ELA teacher, Mr. Thompson. He inspired me by telling stories related to the topic.'' Like us, Mr. Luker had a middle school life.
Mr.Luker has lots of goals for our school. Some that he shares include ''Students will have a great time here at SMS; student will have good grades and have good behavior." He adds, "Eighth graders will be prepared for high school, and SMS will be the top preforming school.''
Mr. Luker smiles as he declares, ''I am very proud of our school, what we have done, and we will do for the future.''
Have you ever wondered what Mr.Luker likes, what his goals are for the school, or even what he was like in middle school? In a recent interview, Mr. Luker answered some of those questions for us.
Mr. Luker spends his free time at high school games and fishing. In his early teaching career, he taught here at SMS for 3 years and enjoyed the experience. He likes working with kids and helping families, and these are some of the reasons why he wanted to be a principal. Mr. Luker began his administrative career as a principal at David Youree Elementary School before coming to
SMS two years ago.
When he was in middle school, Mr.Luker was like many SMS students. He recalls, ''Middle was hard, but I had good grades. But I didn't study as much as I should have. I liked making friends, and liked my teachers. My favorite teacher was my ELA teacher, Mr. Thompson. He inspired me by telling stories related to the topic.'' Like us, Mr. Luker had a middle school life.
Mr.Luker has lots of goals for our school. Some that he shares include ''Students will have a great time here at SMS; student will have good grades and have good behavior." He adds, "Eighth graders will be prepared for high school, and SMS will be the top preforming school.''
Mr. Luker smiles as he declares, ''I am very proud of our school, what we have done, and we will do for the future.''
SMS BAND Director performs at DisneyLand
by Matt Vergel De Dios and Julius Souviron
Mr. Bratten, the SMS band director and professional trombonist, has been part of SMS staff for 11 years, teaching at SMS since 2006. His hope for the SMS band is the band will grow larger, to become better musicians, and to have a better community. He decided to work here, at SMS, because Smyrna is his hometown, and he loves to play in band.
Mr. Bratten holds two degrees, the first in education from Middle Tennessee State University and the second degree in band direction from Vanderbilt University. Apart from the trombone, Mr.Bratten likes to play the trumpet and percussion. Recently he was invited to DisneyLand to perform with a professional jazz band named the Gerry Osbourne Blues Group.
Outside of school, Mr. Bratten enjoys golfing and watching football. He says that he is very comfortable in his own skin, and that he is very laid back.
Mr. Bratten, the SMS band director and professional trombonist, has been part of SMS staff for 11 years, teaching at SMS since 2006. His hope for the SMS band is the band will grow larger, to become better musicians, and to have a better community. He decided to work here, at SMS, because Smyrna is his hometown, and he loves to play in band.
Mr. Bratten holds two degrees, the first in education from Middle Tennessee State University and the second degree in band direction from Vanderbilt University. Apart from the trombone, Mr.Bratten likes to play the trumpet and percussion. Recently he was invited to DisneyLand to perform with a professional jazz band named the Gerry Osbourne Blues Group.
Outside of school, Mr. Bratten enjoys golfing and watching football. He says that he is very comfortable in his own skin, and that he is very laid back.