Welcome to Buckhorn
2015-2016
MRS. MEREDITH MAYS, SCIENCE
B.S.Ed., Biology, Athens State University
Mrs. Mays will be joining the BHS Science department and will be teaching Chemistry this year. She has been teaching for four years. Last year, she taught at Lakeside High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She taught Biology, Pre-AP Biology, and AP Biology. Her favorite thing about teaching is having the opportunity to form relationships with her students. Mrs. Mays finds it rewarding to watch students become productive, influential people in school and the community.
Mrs. Mays is from Hamilton, Alabama. She has two sons. Tripp is 12 and Dylan is 9. Both of her boys are wrestlers. Tripp is a five-time state champion in three different states. Dylan is a four-time state champion in three different states and is also a three-time National Champion. (Be ready Coach Barden!) Mrs. Mays says she is so excited to be back with the Buckhorn Family because the students and community we have here are the best!!
Her favorite quote is, "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." ~Maria Robinson
MR. COREY HICKMAN, SOCIAL STUDIES
B.S.Ed., History, Martin Methodist College
National Board Certified Teacher
This is Mr. Hickman's first year teaching. He completed his student teaching at Elkton Middle School in Elkton, Tennessee. He feels like the profession really chose him. While working as a teacher's assistant, he fell in love with working with students in the classroom and seeing them achieve success. Mr. Hickman will be teaching U.S. History and will also serve as an assistant football coach.
Originally from Pulaski,Tennessee, Mr. Hickman a huge history buff. He loves watching movies and documentaries on the military and other events in history. One of his life long goals is to earn a pilot's license, as well as skydive again! He is looking forward to getting to know the faculty, students, and the community at Buckhorn. He is also looking forward to working and coaching with Coach O'Connor and Coach Beddingfield once again. They have both been influential in his career.
His favorite quote is, "There is a big difference in wanting to do something and willing to do something." ~Anonymous
MRS. ROXANNE BARDEN, SPECIAL EDUCATION
B.S.Ed., Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Thomas Edison State College
This is Mrs. Barden's first year teaching. However, last year she had a long term substitute assignment at BHS as a collaborative teacher. Her favorite thing about teaching is the relationships built with students and other staff members. She is looking forward to making a positive impact on her students and helping them in any way she can. She is also looking forward to all the fun activities we have at BHS like the bonfire, powder puff game, faculty softball game, Blue & Gold wrestling matches, dodge ball games and many others!
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, she moved to New Market, Alabama one year ago with her husband, Coach Dave Barden (BHS Head Wrestling Coach), and their two youngest children. Mr. and Mrs. Barden recently celebrated 23 years of marriage! Their oldest daughter, Brooke, is graduating from Purdue University on Aug. 8th and will commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. Their oldest son, Greysun, is a Master at Arms in the United States Navy and is stationed near Seattle. Their youngest daughter, Skylyr, is a senior at BHS this year. Skylyr has plans to attend the University of Alabama. Their youngest son, Stone, will be a freshman at BHS this year.
While in high school, Mrs. Barden played volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was also on the diving team and a cheerleader. In addition to being an all-around athlete, she graduated high school with 12 years of perfect attendance! Wow!! That is absolutely amazing. We know that Mrs. Barden will bring the same enthusiasm and commitment to the classroom setting. We are so lucky to have the Barden family as an integral part of Buckhorn High School!
Her favorite quote is, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." ~Anonymous
MR. PHILLIP BRANNER, ISS
Born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, he truly enjoys hanging out with his family and friends. He also loves to grill out! He has been a part of sports in Madison County Schools since the age of four when he served as a ball boy. He later served as a manager and player; and then ultimately a coach. His wife, Paula, teaches at Riverton Intermediate. He has two sons, Brandon at UNA, and Zach at Troy. He also has two "bonus" daughters, Taylor at BMS, and Savannah at RIS.
His favorite quote is one of Paul Bear Bryant's, "I think the most important thing of all for any team is a winning attitude. The coaches must have it. The players must have it. The student body must have it. If you have dedicated players who believe in themselves, you don't need a lot of talent."
Mrs. Ashley Downes, BOOKKEEPER
Her favorite quote is, "If God will bring you to it, He will bring you through it."
MRS. MJ CLARK, ENGLISH
B.S. Ed., English, University of Louisville
National Board Certified Teacher
Mrs. Clark is coming to Buckhorn from Killeen High School, located in Killeen, Texas. She has taught for four years and will be joining our English department. The thing she enjoys most about teaching is interacting with students. She says, "Students always surprise me and make me laugh, it is always a joy to have fun with creative people." Mrs. Clark is looking forward to some exciting learning opportunities and witnessing the ways in which BHS students tackle educational challenges.
Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Mrs. Clark is a self-proclaimed army brat who has travelled the world. She was also in a band with her husband for awhile. She tells us that he is a very talented musician...her, not so much! However, she does hope to be a published writer one day. Her favorite quote is, "So it goes..." ~Kurt Vonnegut.
MRS. SONYA MARKS, MATHEMATICS
Mrs. Marks has taught for twelve years, most recently at Clements High School. She will be joining our mathematics department and will also serve as the assistant softball coach. She really enjoys helping students understand new concepts. She is looking forward to a great year at BHS and meeting new people.
Mrs. Marks is from Rogersville, Alabama. She is married to Heath Marks and they have two children. Shila is eight and will be in the 3rd grade and Braeden is two.
Mrs. Dena Clemons, Physical Education
B.S. Ed., Physical Education, Alabama A&M
M.A. Ed., Physical Education, Alabama A&M
Coach Clemons has taught for fourteen years. She is coming to BHS from Madison County High School. She will be teaching physical education and will serve as the Varsity Volleyball head coach. She has been teaching Physical Education since 2001, and was the assistant coach and JV volleyball coach at Buckhorn for three years (1999-2001) under Coach Ace Massey! She chose to become a teacher because of special teachers and coaches that were such an influence in her life. She loves her job and the kids that she has an opportunity to make a positive impact on every day.
Coach Clemons is a native of Madison County and graduated from New Hope High School. She attends Church of the Highlands and is a huge Auburn fan…War Eagle! She has always enjoyed sports; she is a very competitive person and has a huge drive to excel. She loves coaching and helping her players and students develop a strong work ethic, improve their skills and watching their growth and success as a person.
Coach Clemons has three children and a son-in-law who all graduated from Buckhorn High School: Ashley Turley, Shane Turley, Zac Clemons, and Caleb Clemons. She is also the proud "Big Mama" to two future Bucks – Parker Turley (5) and Brynlee Turley (2).
Her favorite quote: "TEACHING: not in it for the income, but in it for the outcome." Coach Clemons is very excited about the opportunity that lies ahead and looks forward to building relationships and pursuing a positive and competitive volleyball program.
GO BUCKS!
Mrs. Amanda Faith, English
B.S. Ed., Elementary Education P-6, Athens State University
M.A. Ed., Special Education, Gifted P-12, USA
English/Language Arts Endorsement 4-12
Mrs. Faith has been a teacher for thirteen years. She is coming to BHS from Riverton Intermediate School and will be joining our English department. Mrs. Faith will continue to serve as our Varsity and Competition Cheerleading Coach. She loves to see that "light bulb" shine when her students grasp a new idea or concept. She looks forward to meeting new people and embarking on a new adventure this year.
Mrs. Faith is a native of Huntsville and has been married for 15 years. She and her husband have two children, Cole 14 and Abby 10. She loves to cook when she can find the time. Her favorite quote is, "An eye for an eye makes the world blind." ~Ghandi
Mrs. Keri Franklin-Tougaw, English
B.S. Ed., English and Science, JSU
Mrs. Franklin-Tougaw will also be joining our English department this year. She has taught in the Madison County School System for eleven years. She is currently pursuing a degree in Educational Administration and Leadership, and has earned 26 graduate hours from Oakland University (Michigan) and Alabama A&M. Her favorite thing about teaching is the students. She is constantly inspired by the students with whom she make connections each year. She is looking forward to working with the outstanding faculty and staff at BHS. As a member of the community, she is also very excited to be able to attend extracurricular events at the school. Go Bucks!
Originally from Huntsville, Alabama, Mrs. Franklin-Tougaw was a regional recruiter for The University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) from 2010 - 2014. She and her husband, Larry Tougaw, enjoy traveling, cooking, and playing with their 2-year-old Havanese, Sophia. In her spare time, she loves chalk painting old furniture.
"Joy is not in things; it is in us." ~Richard Wagner
Mr. Chad LaQua, Social Studies
B.S. Ed., History, South Dakota State University
M.A. Ed, Administration, University of South Dakota
Doctor of Educational Leadership (pending)
Mr. LaQua is returning to Buckhorn High School this year and will be teaching ninth grade American History. He will also be helping Coach Dave Barden as an assistant wrestling coach and at BMS as an assistant football coach.
Mr. LaQua is originally from Watertown, South Dakota, where he began his education career seventeen years ago. Since then, he has taught, coached, or served as an administrator all over the world, including South Dakota, Germany, Georgia, and Alabama. Many great educators have inspired his love for education and this year he is looking forward to raising student achievement at BHS! It comes as no surprise that his favorite quote is, "Motivate to educate!"
Mr. LaQua has two wonderful sons. He has been with the Army National Guard for twenty-three years, and served in Panama, Germany, Iraq, Kuwait, and at the Pentagon as a strategic analyst. His dream is to be the next teacher astronaut!
Mr. Matt Bohon, Mathematics
B.S. Ed., Mathematics / Computer Science, UNA
M.A. Ed., Mathematics / Computer Science, UNA
Coach Bohon is moving from BMS to join our mathematics department this year. He will continue to serve at the head coach for the JV Boys Basketball team and as an assistant Varsity Boys Basketball coach.
Coach Bohon has been teaching for twenty eight years. He loves when students have the 'aha' moment and finally grasp something new. He also appreciates that each school year brings a fresh start and a renewal to learning. This year he is looking forward to
meeting and making new friends, getting to know some old friends better, and being able to see his players daily in class, not just at practice.
Coach Bohon is originally from Belleville, Illinois. He and his wife have two lovely daughters and three awesome grandchildren, ages 2, 3, and 5. In his spare time he enjoys mountain biking.
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~Albert Einstein
Mr. Scott Sharp, Mathematics
B.S. Ed., Mathematics, Athens State University
M.A. Ed., Mathematics, Alabama A&M
Coach Sharp is a native of Huntsville. He will be joining the mathematics department and is planning to teach AP Calculus AB and Geometry. He has been an educator for eighteen and a half years, most recently at Huntsville High, where he served as a head football and softball coach. He also coached the Alabama Hammers for one season. His hobbies include weight lifting, fishing, and watching his children play sports.
Coach Sharp's favorite thing about teaching is seeing each student achieve success after putting in the work and effort. He is really looking forward to being part of a great school in the community in which he lives.
"Watch your thoughts. They become words. Watch your words. They become deeds. Watch your deeds. They become habits. Watch your habits. They become character. Character is everything." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Mr. Jerrett Holley, Science
B.S. Ed., Science, Athens State University
Coach Holley joins our science department and is planning to teach Biology for the 2015-16 school year. He has taught for seven years, most recently at Hazel Green High School. He will also be helping coach football this year and is really looking forward to the start of the season.
Coach Holley is from Hamilton, Alabama (Marion County). He became a teacher so he could pass the things he knows on to other people. His favorite quote is, "Either I will find a way, or I will make one." ~Sir Philip Sidney.
Buckhorn High School
Teacher Wishlist • Technology Campaign
Email: ssullins@madison.k12.al.us
Website: https://www.madison.k12.al.us/schools/bhs
Location: 4123 Winchester Road
Phone: 256.851.3300
Facebook: www.facebook.com/buckhornhighschool
Twitter: @buckhorn_high