Rebekah Taylor

by Sherlyn Gutierrez-Herrera

From studying abroad in Mexico, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, China and Germany, Rebekah Taylor began teaching abroad in The Czech Republic to high schoolers and adults. She taught her students English and in exchange she was taught Czech. Although she was originally going to get a degree in elementary education, she also wanted to travel the world. So, she decided to teach abroad. Now, however, she is an English Spanish Language teacher. She started teaching students with difficulty speaking different languages because she was once a student with difficulty speaking herself. Taylor looks forward to meeting new people and learning from her students. She would like her students to know to always try their best and have grace for new language learners. 

“Always be persevering… as someone who has struggled with English and been there, keep trying, it will work out. Have patience and preserve,” Taylor said.

Tiffany Dixon

by Phoebe Fuerst

Tiffany Dixon, a 10th grade English teacher, is new to White Station High School (WSHS) this year. After spending two years as an instructional coach, she is returning to the classroom this year. She has spent nine total years in education and has lived in Memphis since 2017. Dixon has worked for many Memphis schools including Oakhaven High School and Woodstock Middle School. Out of all the schools she has worked at, including those in Mississippi and Alabama, WSHS, Dixon believes, is the largest and most diverse, both demographically and opportunity-wise. Dixon has been impressed so far with the opportunities that WSHS has to offer including Advanced Placement  classes, honors classes and the various electives. This is a change for Dixon as she grew up in a small town in Alabama, where she was only able to be an office and library assistant as extracurriculars. In the classroom, Dixon is adamant on her “big three” rules, which are be respectful, be responsible and be ready. 

“I want my students to learn, ultimately, at the end of the year, to be responsible for your successes and your mistakes,” Dixon said.

Gale Womack-Jordan

by Ari Thompson

Dr. Gale Womack-Jordan is one of the new special education teachers this year. Teaching has always been her passion, so she has taught in many different states since 1982. However, she’s coming to White Station High School (WSHS) after a 10-year stint as an administrator and is immensely interested in some of the sustainable projects at WSHS, such as the garden. Womack-Jordan prides herself on the close connections she makes between her students and their families. 

“[It] took me a minute to build that network of relationships — a team. Students have to realize that they’re part of the team,” Womack-Jordan said. “We are the team, the team that will push them through to be [academically] successful.”

Jasmine Rye

by Ellison Moore

Jasmine Rye is the new general office secretary in the main office. She handles administrative duties such as managing physicals, school paperwork and parent contacts. Outside of her clerical duties, she helps the Wrestling team as the new assistant coach. Although she is adjusting to the high school environment, Rye understands what it is like to work at a school, having previously worked at Dexter Middle School. Grateful for the support she has received to help her adjust to her new environment, Rye is ready to take the year one step at a time.

“Being here [in the main office] is just kinda like getting that firsthand look at what White Station is like,” Rye said. “When [Mr. Rye] was up in the front, I would just come and pop in and say ‘hey’ and just kinda get a glimpse. This is me, [not] even dipping my toe in, it’s just like [a] full dive [into WSHS].”

Destin DeMarco

by Adaria Crutcher

Destin DeMarco is the new optional coordinator, replacing Vice Principal Michael Ayers. Before coming to White Station High School (WSHS), she worked at Memphis Shelby County Schools’ Central Office as a STEM advisor for the College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) program. After years as the STEM advisor for the CCTE program, DeMarco missed the classroom setting and working with children. Now, she is ready to build relationships with students and become a part of WSHS’s legacy. In September, she will be known as Mrs. Yates, marrying her fiancé, whom she met over two years ago. Outside of school, she loves cooking, traveling, and reading thriller and fantasy books. DeMarco hopes to support students of all backgrounds, helping them throughout their rigorous high school journey.

“I am open and here to support anyone,” DeMarco said. “Whether you’re in the optional program or you’re not … I want to be like a friendly face. When you see me, I want to be friendly and positive … I want to be encouraging [and] hopefully just lift spirits.”

Marcus Jones

by Zahra Altareb

Marcus Jones is the new 11th grade administrator. Jones previously directed band programs for over 20 years, then got his master’s degree in educational leadership. Before coming to White Station High School (WSHS) this year, Jones was an admin at Melrose Middle School for two years. The rivalry between his former high school and WSHS is what initially drew him in, as well as his love for finding solutions. His favorite aspect of WSHS has been the students, who are dedicated and are capable of anything.

“To be great [is] always going to require sacrifice,” Jones said. “[There’s] going to be days when you don’t feel like doing it and you have to learn how to be able to push through those days.”

Prince Donkor

by Joaquin Gonzalez

Prince Donkor, White Station High School’s newest Geometry teacher, started his teaching journey at a young age by teaching himself math. He used his knowledge of math to tutor students in his community, and later became a teaching assistant at the University of Texas. Through his teaching, he hopes to motivate students and help build their appreciation and knowledge of math. He also hopes that his students will be willing to learn and ready to put in the effort needed to succeed in his class. 

“It is the duty of the teacher to teach,” Donkor said, “But one greater duty that should come from the student is to learn. I can’t learn for you.”

Wallace Gatewood

by Katie Gumecindo

Wallace Gatewood is a new study hall teacher and assistant coach to the football team. He previously worked as a teacher and substitute for Wooddale Middle School and Westside Middle School, which taught him the ropes of becoming an educator. As a coach, Gatewood specializes in working with wide receivers. He already worked and trained with the football team during last year’s season. So far, Coach Gatewood has bonded and formed friendships with both students and athletes and is excited about what the new season will bring. 

“I’m just passionate about football and coaching,” Gatewood said. “Just seeing the kids thrive, become better citizens and becoming great adults once they graduate school. And fulfilling their dreams and goals knowing that anything is possible.”

Ledra Pegues

by Betty Erickson

Ledra Pegues is currently teaching English I and Mythology. Although she is new to teaching at White Station High School (WSHS), she has been teaching for over 20 years. Before coming to WSHS, she taught at Kingsbury High School where she had a good experience with the kids and with teaching. She looks forward to helping her students and connecting with them. In her free time, she likes reading Science Fiction and learning. 

“Always do your best; I can always work with you if you are doing your best,” Pegues said.

Devonie Coombs

by Levi Belz

Devonie Coombs is the newest chemistry teacher at White Station High School (WSHS), but she isn’t new to the game as this is her fourth year teaching. Coombs previously taught in the Metro Nashville area where she was born. She graduated from a private Christian school in Springfield, Tennessee with a major in neuroscience, and originally wanted to teach criminal justice. She is an avid runner, participates in marathons and loves all things comic books. She is excited to see the clubs and is ready to make new memories at WSHS with the community. 

“I came to visit and I was like, ‘oh I love this place,’” Coombs said. “But I think in terms of first impressions, it definitely like has a high sense of like academics, but it also has a high sense of community here which is something that I was not used to as much.”

Rachel Doramus

by Katelyn Morton

Rachel Doramus is teaching the course Teaching as a Profession for her first year at White Station High School (WSHS). She has wanted to be a teacher since she was little and would pretend to be a teacher in her garage, which her mom had turned into a classroom. She graduated from The University of Arkansas at Little Rock, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in English and in secondary education, as well as a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Prior to coming to WSHS, she taught English and oral communications for 15 years. One of the most rewarding parts of her job is seeing her students become teachers. Even if students decide not to become teachers, Doramus views Teaching as a Profession as a stepping stone for many  career paths.

“Learning how you learn is important no matter what you do,” Doramus said.

Chris Pemberton

by Audrey Griggs

Chris Pemberton is the newest addition to the math and football departments, serving as an Algebra 1 teacher and an assistant coach for football. Initially employed at Raymond James Financial, he started looking for a career change. Although he suffered a life changing knee injury during his football career in college, his lifelong passion for football translated to pursuing teaching and coaching after leaving finance. Going into his 10th year of teaching, Pemberton originally comes from Briarcrest Christian School where he taught Economics. When not busy teaching about linear equations or coaching running backs, Pemberton can be found mastering the tracks of Mario Kart with his daughter or jamming out on his acoustic and electric guitar. Initially drawn to White Station High School through its reputation and proximity, he has been impressed by the work ethic and overall structure of the school, wanting to make his own difference in the students’ lives. 

“I like to make the kids laugh a lot with my dumb dad jokes even though they don’t always go over,” Pemberton said.” I want it to be a relaxed atmosphere to where they can focus,. I want them to think this teacher really cares.”

Ryan Porter

by Martin Catron

Ryan Porter, a coach of golf and baseball and biology teacher, has entered White Station High School. This is his 28th year teaching and he has worked at five different schools. Porter is very passionate about scrabble and is open to starting a scrabble club. Porter is surprised to see how the students have great attitudes toward school, showing respect and being friendly. He looks forward to helping coach baseball and golf and working with his new students.

“Work hard, learn to do hard things, don’t be scared, and be kind [while] being humble at the same time,” Porter said.