We said good-bye to two retiring teachers and eight faculty and staff members who left for various reasons after the 2019-2020 school year. JPK teacher Cathy Hicks and fifth grade reading teacher Brenda Austin retired in May.

Cathy Hicks-JPK

For many children at Bright, Cathy Hicks was their very first teacher. This is one of the many things she will miss as a junior pre-kindergarten teacher at Bright. Mrs. Cathy, as her students called her, retired at the end of the school year after a total of 37 years as a teacher and 26 years at Bright.

   “They are so eager to learn, and you see growth daily. Being part of their first school experience is awesome,” she said. “It’s been a great fit for me. I love what I do so much.”

   Prior to teaching JPK, Mrs. Cathy was a kindergarten assistant and director of the after school and summer programs for 17 years.

   Passing by her classroom in the Early Childhood Center building, you may see Mrs. Cathy teaching songs and motions to her students, seated around the carpet in a circle, or see her working one-on-one with a child completing a craft at the table. She enjoys “developing their love of school and love of learning” and “setting that foundation to be successful.” “I love to nurture that,” she said.

   Of course, in-person teaching came to an abrupt halt in March. Teaching online was not how Mrs. Cathy hoped to end her career. “It’s been so hard,” she said. “I don’t feel like I got to say good-bye.”

   The last several years have been difficult for her and her family as both her parents passed away last year, her father in August and mother in November. She and her husband, James, hope to spend more time with family in retirement. She has three sons, two stepsons and three grandchildren.

   Through all these difficulties, Bright School’s faculty and families have been like an anchor. This graduating fifth grade class was her last kindergarten class, and rising fifth grader Londyn Busby has a special connection to Mrs. Cathy. She pulled the first tooth of Londyn’s mother, Kamri, when she was a student at Bright, and pulled Londyn’s first tooth. “I have met so many lovely families and great children. I couldn’t ask for a better place to work. It’s never been like a job. It’s a family,” she said.

Brenda Austin-Fifth Grade

The end of the school year was especially difficult for our fifth grade students, who missed out on several traditional events like the Bright School Picnic. Fifth grade teacher Brenda Austin would say this is exactly the kind of experience that helps students grow and mature. She should know after teaching for 41 years, the last nine at Bright. She retired at the end of this year.

   “I am proud of how quickly and successfully both teachers and students adjusted to the new situation.  Were there bumps in the road?  Yes, but the ability to adjust and move forward is a great skill the students will always need,” she said.

   Mrs. Austin taught reading in the fifth grade rotation between reading, writing and math. She enthusiastically introduced and discussed books with her students and encouraged them to think critically and to understand the historical context of the books. “I think I will miss sharing wonderful books with the students during both book club time and read aloud, my favorite time of the day!” she said.

   Fifth grade is a pivotal year for students as they get ready for middle school. Mrs. Austin taught middle school before coming to Bright. “I loved my years with middle school students. Fifth graders are working towards that, and I enjoy helping them prepare for that next big step. They are such fun to watch mature and grow into their own independence, which is critical for them moving forward.  Confidence in themselves and their beliefs and skills. That’s what I want for them,” she said.

   As a fifth grade teacher, one of her roles is to help facilitate the buddies tradition between fifth graders and kindergarten students. “There are so many special events for fifth graders, but any activity they do with their kindergarten buddies is a treasure,” she said.

   Mrs. Austin and her husband, Jeff, plan to spend more time with their daughters Kendall in Nashville and Kayla in Honduras, and she hopes to keep in touch with students and possibly tutor some.

   “I am very appreciative of my time at Bright,” she said. “It was the perfect place to end my career.  Thanks, and best wishes to everyone.”

Departures

Christy Lusk
Assistant Head of School, Curriculum and Instruction

Christy Lusk, known to students as Mrs. Lusk even though she has an Ed.D. degree, spent 12 years at Bright, first as a fourth grade teacher and then as assistant head, overseeing classroom teachers and having a significant impact on the recent changes to the math and reading and writing curriculum, after care and summer programs. She and daughter, Natalie ’15, moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where she is the head of the Bolles Lower Schools, Whitehurst campus. “Without a doubt, Christy's passion for Bright School and its mission has been a driving force behind important curricular and programmatic improvements during her tenure,” Mr. Morgan said. “What we will all remember most, however, is her genuine and wise manner as she taught, counseled, consoled, guided, and inspired countless students, parents, and teachers.”

 

Jeff McDaniel
P.E.

Coach Jeff McDaniel and his wife, Mausi, and their sons Brayden ’20 and Cohen, moved to Miami, Florida, after being a part of the Bright School family for five years. Coach McDaniel taught P.E. alongside Coach Jan Connell his first four years and with new colleague, Coach Ashley Linehart, the last year. He made an immediate impact as a motivator and mentor to all children. “His wonderful spirit has inspired us all and brought to Bright School an enthusiasm for physical health and growth that permeates the school community. In P.E. classes, cross country and track, scooter races, Bright Fit, and countless other activities, he has shown us all how to have great fun while also reaching high to improve ourselves,” Mr. Morgan said.

Mary Bosshardt
Kindergarten

Mary Bosshardt joined the faculty in 2016 as an assistant in PK and held several roles before deciding to stay at home with her son, Ward, who was born in November 2019. She was director of Bright Afternoons and Bright Days, which she revamped into a more camp-like atmosphere with counselors and campers getting to know one another through daily morning meetings and closing ceremonies. But she missed the classroom and returned to teach first grade for part of a year and then kindergarten.

LeAnne Sharpe
First Grade

LeAnne Sharpe taught first and second grades at Bright School, starting as a substitute while her son, Alex ’11, was still a student.  Her brightly-colored and cozy classrooms made children feel right at home. She decided to leave to spend more time with her family.

Emily Satterfield
Second Grade

Emily Satterfield started as a fourth grade teacher at Bright in 2016 and moved to second grade in 2018. Miss Satterfield was engaged during the school year and relocated with her fiancé over the summer.

Farrah Barto
Fourth Grade

Farrah Barto joined the faculty in 2018 and taught two years in fourth grade. She and her husband, Dr. David Barto, who graduated from Bright in 1988, have two children at Bright, Harper, a rising third grader, and David, a rising kindergartener.

Allison Sakich
Fourth Grade

Allison Sakich followed in her mother’s footsteps by teaching at Bright. She arrived in 2013 as a fourth grade teacher, specializing in writing. She and her husband, Jesse Thompson, have a son, Wiley, a rising third grader at Bright, and a daughter, Ella. Ms. Sakich’s mother, Gay, taught fifth grade from 1997 to 2001.

Kelly Jennings

Kelly Jennings served one year as our nurse and secretary and is leaving to pursue a graduate program.