By Katie Northcott, News Director
On Monday, May 4, Cartwright Elementary School received the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) designation from the Tennessee Department of Education.
Cartwright Elementary is the first school in the Bedford County School District to earn the designation, which honors schools that demonstrate excellence in delivering high-quality, integrated learning experiences that prepare students in a rapidly evolving world.
Find more details in the press release, which is published below:
Bedford County Schools is proud to announce that Cartwright Elementary School has been officially awarded a prestigious STEAM designation by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) during its annual awards ceremony today in Nashville. This recognition marks a historic milestone as Cartwright becomes the first school in Bedford County Schools to earn this distinction.
The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) designation honors schools that demonstrate excellence in delivering high-quality, integrated learning experiences that prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving world. Schools earning this honor serve as models across the state, showcasing a commitment to student-centered learning environments that emphasize problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration and real-world application.
Cartwright Elementary School Principal Whitney Yoes reflected on the significance of the achievement:
“Opening Cartwright Elementary School has been an opportunity for all of us to learn, grow and build a special legacy together. One of my personal goals was for our school to earn STEAM designation before my retirement, and I am proud that we accomplished that vision within two years! The process required tremendous collaboration, planning, evidence collection, professional learning and a commitment to embedding STEAM practices into daily instruction and overall school culture. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff, along with the leadership and guidance of Dr. Martin and Dr. Aymett. I feel extremely proud, grateful and honored that Cartwright is the first school in Bedford County to receive this designation.”
Assistant Principal Malcolm Martin highlighted the intentional work behind the recognition:
“This process pushed us to be intentional about every aspect of our instructional model, from how we design lessons to how students engage with real-world problems. As a new school, we had the opportunity to build these systems from the ground up, ensuring that STEAM practices were consistent across classrooms and accessible to all students, not just pockets of excellence. Earning this designation as the first school in our district reflects the clarity, alignment and commitment our staff brought to work every day. Our teachers leaned into the process, refined their practice and kept students at the center of every decision. I’m proud of what we’ve built in a short time and excited about where this foundation will take us next!”
Bedford County Schools Superintendent Dr. Tammy Garrett, who played a key role in the vision, construction and development of Cartwright Elementary School, also shared her congratulations:
“This recognition is a powerful affirmation of the vision behind Cartwright Elementary School from its very beginning. We set out to create a learning environment where innovation, creativity and high- quality instruction would thrive; today, that vision has come to life in a historic way! I am incredibly proud of the students, teachers and leaders at Cartwright for setting a new standard of excellence for Bedford County Schools. Their work not only reflects what is possible, but it inspires what comes next for our entire district.”
Earning the STEAM designation underscores Cartwright Elementary School’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and engaging educational experience where students are empowered to think critically, explore creatively and apply their learning in meaningful ways.
As the first school in Bedford County Schools to achieve this honor, Cartwright Elementary is truly making history—setting the stage for future innovation and excellence across the district.
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