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KINGSPORT, Tenn. – On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, Kingsport City Schools inducted two former educators into the Kingsport City Schools Hall of Fame, Class of 2024:
- Jerry Adams - Jerry Adams worked at Dobyns-Bennett High School for 23 years (1987-2009) as a teacher and coach. Jerry attended Kingsport City Schools from elementary through graduation at Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1975. Jerry continued his education on an athletic scholarship to Tennessee Temple University majoring in education. While at TTU, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Tamara Clark and his basketball team won the National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship. Prior to working for Kingsport City Schools, Jerry taught and coached in Georgia, Ohio, and at Volunteer High School (Church Hill, TN). During this time, Jerry and Tamara had two sons, Jeremiah and Jared. In 1987, Jerry returned to Dobyns-Bennett to coach and teach until his death in 2009. Jerry was known for his strong faith and inspired countless students to be the best versions of themselves, doing whatever he could to ensure their success both personally and academically. Former colleagues remember Jerry as a mentor, friend, and source of encouragement and support. While at Dobyns-Bennett, Jerry had the privilege to coach many young men alongside the late Coach Buck Van Huss and Steve Shipley. As a history teacher, one of the highlights of his teaching career was the student travel abroad program where he took his students to Europe. His students remembered how safe and cared for they felt with him while being so far from home. Jerry is remembered by his Christian influence on the lives of his family (grandchildren include Jaylie and Jarren), students, players, and friends that will continue to keep his legacy alive. Jerry Adams was posthumously elected to the KCS Hall of Fame in the Modern Era category.
- Gerry Harrison - Gerry Harrison retired in 2008 with 33 years of service (1975-2008) as a teacher for Kingsport City Schools. Gerry graduated from Jim Hill High School (Jackson, MS) in 1968, hers being the last all black senior class before the school district was integrated later that fall. In high school, Gerry was an honor roll student, a member of the Honor Society, Who's Who in National High Schools, a member of the Speech Choir, and attended Jackson State University as an Upward Bound Student. Upon high school graduation, Gerry attended Alcorn State University on an academic scholarship and received a degree in Home Living and General Science. Further studies were held at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg and at East Tennessee State University. At ETSU, she received an Elementary certification and a Master's degree in Elementary Education with special emphasis in science. Starting in 1975 at Sevier Middle School, Jerry spent the duration of her career in the science department until her retirement. She sponsored the first Black History program, the first middle school dance team, the first middle school step team, sponsored the Southeastern Consortium for Minority Engineers program, and was awarded KCS Teacher of the Year in 1999. After her retirement in 2008, she spent three years as a part-time employee with the Kingsport City Schools GED program. Gerry is known for her strong commitment to her students, community, church, and family. Gerry has also served as a member of several community organizations such as United Way, Big Brothers and Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, March of Dimes, Interfaith Hospitality Network, and others. Gerry and her husband John, have three children (LaShea, Jeremy, and Bryan) and five grandchildren (Solomon, Samuel, Ja'lyn, Phoenix, and Zoe). Gerry Harrison was elected to the KCS Hall of Fame in the Modern Era category (Retired less than 25 years from induction).
Established in 2015, the tenth class honors and recognizes employees that have made significant contributions to KCS and its students. The Hall of Fame serves as the keystone employee award celebrating the district’s history of excellence.
"It is an incredible honor to induct Mr. Jerry Adams and Mrs. Gerry Harrison into our Kingsport City Schools Hall of Fame," said KCS Superintendent Dr. Chris Hampton. "Both worked tirelessly to support their students and respective schools. Both Mr. Adams and Mrs. Harrison have forever left life-changing marks on our school district and our community as a whole."
The KCS Hall of Fame features up to two inductees annually in each of the three categories – “Legacy” (Retired 50 years or more from potential induction), “Tradition” (
The 2024 KCS Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 11 a.m. located at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center.
Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice, and an alternative learning program; with a total enrollment of over 7,400 students.
KCS has been ranked the "#1 Best Place to Teach in Tennessee" by the 2023 NICHE Best Schools Ranking and the City of Kingsport has been voted as the "Nicest Places in America" in the October 2022 Reader's Digest.
For more information visit www.k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, or call the KCS Administrative Support Center at (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (kcsdistrict), Instagram (kcs__district), LinkedIn (kcsdistrict), and check out our YouTube Channel (@kcs__district).
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