A Touch of Class: Atoka area readies new elementary school

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Change is a usual part of the upcoming school year. For some area schools, that could mean the addition of new teachers and students. But for the Atoka area, change means the addition of a new school.

Located at 870 Rosemark Road, in Atoka, Atoka Elementary is expected to take on 800 students, the school's principal, Charlotte Fisher said.

"That in itself is a challenge, to open the doors to that many students," Fisher said. This isn't the first time the area has had its own elementary school.  During the 1920s and 30s, there was another elementary school in the Atoka area.

"We're just restablishing what was already in place," she said.

Fisher is a long time resident of the Tipton County area. Fisher graduated from Munford High School in 1974. She continued her journey of education as a student at Memphis State University where she graduated from in 1979.

She began teaching in 1987 at Drummonds Elementary, as a special education teacher. Fisher acquired her master's degree in 1990. She eventually became a consulting teacher at Munford Middle, and then taught the Family and Consumer Science class at Munford High School.

And for those that aren't familiar with Fisher as a teacher and student in the Tipton County area, resident may know her family. Fisher is the daughter of Tipton County  Election Commission James L. 'Joe" Sneed, and sister of Tipton County Commissioner James L. Sneed.

With such a deep background in education, it may be clear to some that education has always been important to the principal.

"I have a love for learning," Fisher said. "My father use to say knowledge is a key. Education is a key. "I've always strived to learn, even when it has been difficult."

The new elementary school has been a part of Tipton County's five year plans, Fisher said. The journey of witnessing the school form from an idea to a building's whose colors are purple and green, has been both exciting and challenging for Fisher.

I was named [principal] one day, and the next day I had a building manager bringing me tile and paint tips and saying 'you need to select the tile for the counter tops on the floor or the color of the walls," she said.

And for a Tipton County native, who was one of the first students integrated in the county in the 60s, the job of principal is very important to Fisher.

"As an African American female, to lead this effort is very humbling for me," she said. "And I take it very seriously."