A Day in the Life of Mr. Abernathy

There are no average days as a Technology and Learning Coach (TLC) at a school of nearly 800 students. Wednesday, January 14, 2015, was busy one for Tyler Abernathy, 2013-2014 Blythewood Middle School Teacher of the Year and boys basketball coach. Mr. Abernathy started the day at 6:50 a.m., ushering bus riders in out of the cold. Then it was off to FCA, a club he advises, for games until the first bell rings. A few players stopped by his office to drop off money for their free-throw fundraiser. When he wasn't trouble-shooting devices and answering emails, Mr. Abernathy was on the move assisting teachers facilitate MAP testing.

Before becoming a TLC, Mr. Abernathy taught sixth grade social studies at BMS for seven years. He still enjoys opportunities to return to the classroom including this day, where his lesson on creating infographics sparked conversations about food consumption and contagious diseases. As the day winds down, he heads to a spare room where teachers are finalizing grades for the second nine weeks. Mr. Abernathy's day doesn't end with the final bell. He and the team headed to the gym for pictures, then basketball practice.

Every day, Mr. Abernathy seeks out challenges in his new role as a TLC. His email signature says it all.

"My Purpose: To create an environment in my school that is collaborative among teachers of all grade levels and subjects to discuss, analyze, and reflect academic practices, projects, and ideas that will create authentic teaching and student learning."

Below is Mr. Abernathy's day in photos. Visit our A Day in the Life album on Flickr to see more of Mr. Abernathy's day.