Wise County Public Schools

Roan says, "Never Give Up!"

The Ascent
Roan is a current sixth grader at Union Middle School. Born with Cerebral Palsy, doctors once told him and his family that he would likely be wheelchair-bound for life, however, Roan and his mother refused to accept that prognosis. Together, they set a goal — he was going to get stronger and learn to walk. Tragically, his mother passed away, and his grandmother became his guardian. Together, Roan and his grandmother continue to honor his mother’s goal in her absence: for him to walk. While he primarily uses a walker for support, Roan now walks independently during gym class and at home, steadily building his strength. His latest milestone is an exciting one — he’s transitioning from tall ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) braces that extend nearly to the knee to shorter supramalleolar orthoses (SMO) braces that reach just above the ankles. This change allows for greater freedom of movement. Even better? He designed his new braces himself — complete with flames!

The Climb Within
When asked about his favorite part of the school day, his answer came easily — “my friends,” he said, smiling from ear to ear. Recently, Dr. Cynthia Kays, a physical therapist who has served over five years with Wise County Public Schools (and over 21 in the state of Virginia), took Roan to Onsight Rock Gym in Knoxville, Tennessee. There, he got to climb with Tyler (pictured), “Mrs. Kays’ son,” scaling more than 25 feet up a 60-foot rock wall. His biggest takeaway? “It was much easier to climb up than to come down!” he laughed.
Then, without any prompting, Roan added, “My thing is never give up.” The words came out strong, confident, and full of heart. He repeated it, again, and smiled.

The Heart of a Teacher
He and Dr. Kays share a remarkable bond. Her commitment to helping him reach his goals is both steadfast and inspiring. As I stepped out of the classroom that day, I overheard her say with warmth and purpose, “Okay, Roan, let’s get on our stretching mat and get to work.” For Dr. Kays, this is more than a job — it’s a calling; and for Roan, her dedication has helped transform what once seemed impossible, into reality. Wise County Public Schools is deeply grateful for professionals like Dr. Kays, who help students reach their goals — one step at a time.

For Roan, the possibilities are endless. With a warm smile, and a committed heart of gold, there’s no doubt he will meet his goal. Dr. Kays, Union Middle School, and Wise County Public Schools will continue to be there cheering him on as he works to make progress in meeting his goals.

We are so proud of you, Roan!

🍎 Honoring Our Lifetime Educators 🍎
Mrs. Patsy Dotson, Teacher | 46 years and counting!

From the days of chalkboards and filmstrips to today’s SMART boards and iPads, Mrs. Patsy Dotson has been a cornerstone of Wise County education for nearly five decades. They say that home is where the heart is, but for Mrs. Dotson, heart is also found in the classroom. For 46 remarkable years, she has been a steady, loving presence for the children of Wise County, especially those at Wise Primary School.

From Clintwood Student to Wise County Mentor
Her journey came full circle right here at home. A proud member of the Clintwood High School Class of 1976 (graduating in the top 10 with honors!), she was inspired by the "wonderful and caring" teachers of her own youth. She took that inspiration to Clinch Valley College and later to the University of Virginia, where she spent two years traveling to Charlottesville on weekends and teaching in summer clinics to earn her Master’s degree from the UVA Curry School of Education—all while teaching full-time!

A Witness to Change
In four decades, Mrs. Dotson has seen education evolve from the era of chalkboards, filmstrip projectors, and play-based centers to today’s fast-paced world of SMART boards, iPads, and rigorous academic expectations. Through every curriculum trend that has come and gone, her philosophy remains unshakable: “Kindergarteners still need FUN sprinkled in with all the rigor that exists in Kindergarten now. It is of utmost importance to establish routines and good classroom management practices to ensure optimal learning opportunities for ALL children. We become a school family and create an environment of mutual respect! I truly LOVE my job and continue taking classes and participate in educational trainings to continue my own learning journey!

Memories that Last a Lifetime
Whether it was the elaborate Disney performances, the annual "Tale of Peter Rabbit" spring plays, or the "lightbulb moments" when a child first discovers the joy of reading, her impact is immeasurable. And who could forget the "lessons" learned along the way? (Like when a curious student accidentally turned her "winter white" trousers into a green-painted masterpiece!)

A True School Family ❤️
"I hope they remember the fun times and love as a ‘School Family,’" she shares. For her, the classroom isn't just a workspace—it’s her HAPPY PLACE. “I take pride in watching my students learn & grow every day! I always look forward to each new school year and the opportunities & possibilities it will bring!” (pictured) (Left) Mrs. Patsy Dotson stands with Mrs. Samantha Thompson (2nd grade teacher) in the early 80’s when she first started teaching Kindergarten. (Right) Fast forward!!! Mrs. Dotson's granddaughter is in Mrs. Thompson's class currently!

Even after 46 years, she continues to attend trainings and learn new ways to keep her students engaged, proving that a great teacher is always a great student, too. Help us celebrate, Mrs. Dotson! 🍎 Whether you were in her class in the 80s, 90s, 00s, or just recently, you are part of her legacy. 👇 Please share your favorite memory, a "lightbulb moment," or a simple "Thank You" in the comments below!

Good evening students, families, faculty and staff:

Welcome back and Happy New Year! We hope the holiday break brought time for rest, reflection, and celebration. As we return refreshed and ready to learn, we look forward to a year filled with new opportunities, goals, and successes. Please be advised that school operations will resume tomorrow, Thursday, January 8th, with an early dismissal schedule for students, both, on Thursday, January 8th and Friday, January 9th at 12:30pm.

Thursday, Jan. 8th: Student Early Dismissal at 12:30pm
Friday, Jan. 9th: Student Early Dismissal at 12:30pm

Teachers are expected to participate in scheduled professional development activities until 3:30pm on both early release dates.

On Wednesday, January 7th, the entire Wise County Public Schools team kicked off 2026 with an incredible professional development session at Union High School featuring the one and only Gerry Brooks, a veteran educator and social media influencer, from Lexington, Kentucky!

With over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, intervention specialist and principal, Mr. Brooks shared invaluable insights on how administrators can lead with intention, and how teachers and staff members can cultivate a positive classroom climate.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn, laugh, and grow together as a district. Our teachers, staff members and administrators are headed back to their classrooms and offices feeling encouraged, inspired, and ready to lead with a positive mindset. Thank you, Mr. Brooks, for inspiring Wise County Public Schools to lead with love, respect, and encouragement for ALL students. We’re ready to make the rest of 2026 the most positive year yet!

Wishing our students, their families, and our faculty and staff a joyful holiday season, and a restful break filled with peace and happiness!

🚌 52 Years Behind the Wheel!

Help us celebrate Robert Phillips, a Union area legend! Mr. Phillips started driving for Wise County at just 18 years old and has been dedicated to our students for 52 incredible years. He goes on to state, "Wise County has been a good county to work for, or I would have left a long time ago."

For Mr. Phillips, it’s all about the kids. "Getting to know them over the years and seeing those smiles makes the job," he says. While the responsibility of student safety is a heavy task, it’s one he takes immense pride in every single day.

Thank you, Robert Phillips, for over half a century of service and for keeping the Union COMMUNITY moving! 🚍

🚨 Big things are happening in the Information Technology Pathway at WCCTC — all thanks to the incredible leadership of Mrs. Ashley Lawson. Let's brag on Mrs. Lawson! It is an incredible testament to the rigor and quality of her instruction at WCCTC that her students are not just passing courses, but demonstrating a level of mastery that allows them to bypass introductory collegiate requirements at local educational institutions. By blending cybersecurity fundamentals with industrial manufacturing, she is preparing students for a high-demand career path in Cybersecurity for Southwest Virginia.

Innovation in the Classroom
The "Vulnerable" Lab: Using the Virginia Cyber Range and cyber.org, Mrs. Lawson has created a safe "bubble" where students use Kali Linux to ethically attack Windows 7 OS machines, which are the most vulnerable. The ability for the instructor to "reset" the range allows students to identify and exploit vulnerabilities, ethically and safely. The environment can be used for network scans, web application vulnerability exploitation, basic penetration testing, as well as a plethora of built-in exercises.

Safe Competition: Students can launch "Range Attacks" against one another without risking external networks.
Fearless Learning: Students are encouraged to experiment; if a system crashes or is compromised beyond repair, the instructor can instantly reset the machine to its original state.

PLC & Industrial Robotics: Moving beyond just computers, the program explores Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). This is where Cybersecurity meets Manufacturing (OT - Operational Technology). Students see how code affects physical objects—like the robotic database model, where a developer's logic determines which object is loaded to a predetermined destination.

Microbit "Cyber Attacks": Students aren't just building robots; they are learning to overtake them. Using Python, students simulate cyber attacks on robots to understand how to defend critical manufacturing infrastructure. This Microbit activity serves as a powerful "proof of concept" for industrial security. By using Python to intercept or override commands, students move beyond theoretical hacking and see the immediate physical consequences of a breach.

Academic Pathway & Credits
Transfer Partners: Since these are weighted DE (Dual-Enrollment) credits toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) at MECC, they typically transfer seamlessly to:
UVA-Wise (Software Engineering/Cyber focus)
Radford University (Strong Cybersecurity program)
ETSU (Computing/Digital Media)

Cost/Credits: At MECC, the cost per credit hour for in-state students is roughly $160–$170. Completing 35 credits via DE can save a student over $5,500 before even stepping onto a college campus.

Certifications & Skill Sets
The curriculum aligns with entry-level roles (cyber analyst, or business analyst) by stacking industry-recognized certifications with programming languages.

Industry Certification: Microsoft Certified Fundamentals - Microsoft SC-900 (Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals).

Building the Pipeline
Lego Robotics provides support for middle schoolers, ensuring the next generation of technicians is ready for WCCTC courses, and post-secondary opportunities at MECC, UVA Wise, Radford, and ETSU. Also, in our school division, St. Paul Elementary teaches an Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals course.

Growing Our Own
Eli Hopkins, a current Information Technology Technician is employed with Wise County Public Schools and is a product of Mrs. Lawson’s programming at WCCTC. Students who excel in Mrs. Lawson’s course may qualify for entry-level positions that include cyber analyst, or business analyst.

Why It Matters
By connecting Microsoft Security Fundamentals with the shipping and manufacturing logic used by companies like Amazon, Mrs. Lawson is turning "Cyber Fundamentals" into a high-demand career path for students in Southwest Virginia.

By navigating to https://www.cyberseek.org/heatmap.html, students and parents are able to explore the interactive heat map to view a snapshot of demand and supply data for cybersecurity jobs at the state and national levels.

The students and families of Wise County Public Schools are very fortunate to have knowledgeable instructors like Mrs. Lawson, who are equipping our students with skills for high demand job opportunities in Southwest Virginia!

The Pulse - Season 2, Episode 4:
Harper & Reid, from Wise Primary School

This episode of The Pulse (Season 2, Episode 4) features Dr. Goforth, the Superintendent of Wise County Schools, interviewing two fourth-grade students, Harper and Reid, for a special Christmas-themed podcast. The conversation covers school life, holiday traditions, and future aspirations.

To view, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELY24WgMQQs

CORRECTION: Early Dismissal Notice - Friday, December 19: In observance of the conclusion of the second nine-weeks grading period and first semester, all schools will dismiss early at 12:30pm on Friday, December 19th.

The Winter Holiday Break is Monday, December 22 - Tuesday, January 6. Teachers will report for a teacher workday on Wednesday, January 7th. The second semester for students will begin on Thursday, January 8th (12:30pm early dismissal).

School operations will resume Thursday, January 8th with a 12:30pm early dismissal on Thursday, January 8th and Friday, January 9th. Teachers are reminded that they are expected to participate in scheduled professional development activities until 3:30pm on early dismissal days (January 8th & 9th).

We wish our students, their families, and our faculty and staff a safe and joyful holiday season!