Meet the Teacher
one room school
by Russel Pickett
December 13, 2006
Russel Dean Pickett, Jr.
December 13, 2006
Jr., known by those he was raised with, was born in Holton and raised in the Soldier area. From attending a one-room school house (Cedar Hill) with out-houses to a closed down missile base (Jackson Heights) all the way to the third floor of Wetmore Academic Center. It has been a great ride on the path of life. Russel teaches the high school Inter-related classroom at WAC.
His WAC classroom is doing a tall grass prairie and wild flower project in the city of Wetmore. They are planting 2.5 lots with native grasses, flowers, and trees. Hopefully this will be a good habitat for birds, animals, and a stopping spot for Monarch butterflies. When the project is completed, the Bio II class is going to use the plants as an examination station.
Click here to view a slideshow of the various flowers and plants
Click here to view a second slideshow of the various flowers and plants
In his free time he enjoys reading, cards, golf, and walking with his dogs, wife, and children.
EDUCATION
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. Fourteen hours of Graduate courses for renewal of state teaching certificate. 2000-2001.
University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Nine hours of Graduate courses in administration. 1997.
Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana. EDD in Physical Education with a minor in Adapted Physical Education. 1990.
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas. MSED in Special Education, with and emphasis in emotionally disturbed. 1985.
Emporia state University, Emporia, Kansas. BSE in Business Education and Physical Education. 1982.
Highland Community Junior College, Highland, Kansas. AA in General Education. 1978.
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
Alpha Beta Scholarship-ESU
Henry Lueke Scholarship-JHHS
White Oak Elementary Teacher of the Year (1991, 1994, and 1997)
White Oak Elementary Image Award 1994
White Oak Elementary Good Character Trait nomination 1999
Honorary Life Member Tennessee PTA-1994
Fellowship in Leadership in Education 1998-1999-nominee
Reynolds Recycling Educator of the Year for the Southeast 1996
EXPERIENCE
2000 to present - High school IRC Wetmore Attendance Center
Head track coach Wetmore High School 2001-03
Assistant track coach Wetmore high school 2000-01
1987 to 2000 - Developmental physical education, adapted physical education instructor Hamilton County School Board, Chattanooga, Tennessee
1990 to 1999 - Adjunct Instructor University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Department of Exercise Science, Health and Leisure Studies.
1984 to 1987 - Adapted physical education instructor for the Natchitoches Parish School Board.
1987- Natchitoches Special Olympics meet director for the Red River District.
1982 to 1984 - Building supervisor for the Fayetteville Arkansas Youth Center.
1982 to 1984 - Management trainee for Swift Independent Meat Company.
1982 - Paraprofessional PSA classroom Flint hills Educational Co-op. Emporia, Kansas.
1979 to 1982 - Iowa Beef Processors (material handling and warehouse) Emporia, Kansas.
ORGANIZATIONS
Phi Delta Kappa
Hamilton County Education Association
Community Matters for Better Schools
PACE
Education Edge
Superintendents Advisory Council
Sigma Phi Epsilon
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Better Business Bureau Volunteer Shopper
Neighborhood Watch Co-Chairperson
Tennessee Sportsfest Volunteer
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Member of the site based decision making council at White Oak Elementary, 1993-1999, Chairperson 1994-1995.
Member of White Oak Elementary Title 1 committee, 1994-1999.
Jump rope for Heart coordinator White Oak Elementary.
Head of security for Southern District American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. February, 1989.
Teacher Education program interviews for University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 1990.
Supervisor of University of Tennessee - Chattanooga's student teachers in physical education 1990-1999 at White Oak Elementary.
Supervisor of University of Tennessee's Education Field work experience at White Oak Elementary, 1990-1999.
Modern Woodmen of America Civic Oration, judge White Oak Elementary, 1987-1999.
Recycling committee for White Oak Elementary, 1988-1999.
Building and Grounds committee for White Oak Elementary, 1987-1999.
Site director for AAU National Girls Basketball Championships, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1990 and 1997 (Round House).
Jingle Bell Run committee for the Arthritis Foundation.
State committee to rewrite state curriculum for elementary physical education 1995-1996 and 1999-2000.
Logistics committee for the Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Joint Convention, 1993.
PRESENTATIONS
International
"Movement Exploration: The Unhindered Choices of Movement" October 20, 1989. Movement Education for a New Age Conference/Ontario Physical and Health Education Niagara Regional conference, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada.
National
"Hydro-circuit" & "A Collection of New Games", 1990 American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Recorder for "Pooling your Resources: Guides to Creating Group Unity", American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance National Convention, Kansas City, Kansas. 1988.
Regional
"Games and Mixers for the Recreation Leader" Southern District American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Norfolk, Virginia. 1991.
Recorder for "Job Markets and Career Opportunities within Recreation and Leisure Service Agencies". Southern District American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. 1989.
State
"Cooperative Fitness Games" Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 1988.
"Dance Movements for the Future Generation" Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Convention. Johnson City, Tennessee. 1992.
"Games People Play" Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Memphis, Tennessee. 1990.
"Circuit Training-The Water Way" Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Memphis, Tennessee. 1990.
"Activities for Large Groups" Florida Physical Education Inservice, Blountstown, Florida. 1990.
"Adapted Physical Education" Hamilton County Physical Education Inservice. Chattanooga, Tennessee. 1990.
"A Collection of New Games" Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Nashville, Tennessee. 1989.
Recorder for "Parks Make Good Sense" Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Nashville, Tennessee. 1989.
"Recreational Dances" Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Johnson City, Tennessee. 1988.
"Social Recreation Games and Mixers" Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Convention. Knoxville, Tennessee. 1988
"Initiative Games for Outdoor Recreation" Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Convention. New Orleans, Louisiana. 1988.
Pre-convention workshop, Tennessee Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Chattanooga, Tennessee. 1987.
PUBLICATIONS
National
Hydrocircuit. Strategies - A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators, April-May 1991. Volume 4. Number 5, April-May 1991 pp. 27-28.
Movement Education: The Unhindered Choices of Movement. Teaching Elementary Physical Education, Volume 3, Number 3, May/June 1992.
State
Using Initiative Games in the Physical Education Program. The Journal of the Mississippi Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Volume 12, Number 1, November 1992 pp. 2-4.
Original Beanbag Activity for Elementary Children K-2. Tennessee Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Spring, 1988. Volume 26, Number 2, p. 18.
Dissertation
The Influence of Test Selection on the Placement of Learning Disabled and Non-Handicapped Students in Physical Education, Spring 1990.
