New Manchester Elementary School teachers Diandra Johnson Ray and Brandi Rayner became
trailblazers last month when they teamed up to take 32 fifth-grade students on an overnight learning expedition to Chattanooga.
Johnson Ray, who is New Manchester’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year, said the students learned about reading, history and geology as part of the adventure, which also included educators and chaperones Benjamin McGaha and Danna Jacques.
On the first day, students got to enjoy a stop at Buc-ee’s before traveling underground to discover Ruby Falls. The young scholars spent the evening enjoying the movie premier of “Wicked,” and had dinner at the famous “Champy’s Chicken" before ending the night serving the homeless.
The next day, students and educators dove into history as they visited the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and African American Museum. They learned about famous musicians like Usher and took a walk through time as they explored events and artifacts of the past.
The group also visited the Tennessee Aquarium, exploring turtle habitats, sea life and a butterfly exhibit. Over lunch at the IMAX Theater, students delved into prehistoric history and discovered fascinating lessons in paleontology.
“These exemplary scholars created memories that are to be cherished for the rest of their lives thanks to teachers and staff in Douglas County,” Johnson Ray said.
