Mrs. Joanne Whitley 

     Hi.  I have been a teacher for 39 years and a Second Grade teacher for 26 years.  In my teaching career I have taught every grade level from kindergarten through 12th grades.  I started out as a Physical Education teacher, but have also taught HS Sophomore English, Sociology, 7th grade English, Health, 4th and 5th grades and Gifted Education classes.  Whew!  Second Grade at Piedmont School is where I have found the most rewarding and satisfying experiences.
    I graduated from Appalachian State University (whose football team beat Michigan last year and went on to be the National Champs for the third year in a row!) with a degree in Health and Physical Education.  I received an Elementary Education degree from Gardner Webb College.  I then went on to receive both my Masters and Education Specialist Degrees from The University of Tennessee.
     I have been married to a wonderful man, Mike, for 39 years.  We have 2 daughters, Carrie(37) and Shylon (33). Carrie and Ted have one daughter named Julia who just turned four in July and a little boy, Eli, who turned two in May. Ted's son, Alex (18 in Oct.) also lives with them in Minnesota.  Shylon and Kevin have a little girl, Caitlyn, who will turn four in October and a little boy, Blake who turned one in June. We have no pets right now.  My husband and I love animals but we are at the age where it is nice just to take off whenever we want to and not worry about animals. 
     My first year in Jefferson County was as a teacher of the gifted in seven of the schools, grades K-8.  The following year I taught PE at Chestnut Hill and Swannsylvania Schools.  I spent one year at Dandridge Elementary School teaching PE classes.  I then was transferred to Piedmont.  I love it!