Why I Love

Jarrod Ellis

Short bio: - Graduate of Elizabethton High School (‘99) - Graduate of East Tennessee State University (B.S. Elementary Education, Minor Business Management) (2006) - Founder of J’s Corner and owner/operator from 2008-2018 - Register of Deeds 2018-present

1. What makes Carter County unique by comparison to other places?

Carter County is such a tight knit community. No matter where I go, I always run into a smiling/welcoming face. People are always willing to lend a helping hand. Carter Countians have each others’ back.

2. Favorite place to visit in Carter County?

Watauga Lake, Roan Mountain and pretty much anywhere in the great outdoors that Carter County has to offer.

3. Living in Carter County change me in any way?

Living in Carter County my entire life of almost 40 years has taught me what small town living and community involvement is all about. It takes a commitment to live in a small town. A person needs to do their part to ensure the history and way of life stays at a constant. From starting a business at the age of 28, then becoming part of local politics, and now raising a child, it gives me great satisfaction to know myself and family are a part of such a wonderful county. 4. Favorite time of year? Definitely Fall. Football, the beautiful weather, hunting and fishing. 5. First time visitors’ recommendation not to miss. Carter County has so much to offer and first time visitors must see: Watauga Lake is simply amazing, the various rivers and waterways offer great fishing and rafting. The Appalachian Trail is a must for your hikers and avid outdoorsmen. Downtown Elizabethton is so unique with great retail, restaurants and various businesses.

Why Do You Love Carter County?

Is it the wonderful natural resources? How about the historic downtown district? Perhaps it’s the people who make up our community? Whatever the reason, we want to know why you love it here. Tell us why you love Carter County and you could be featured in an upcoming edition of Carter County Living. Just send us a message telling us why you love Carter County. You can reach us by email at news@elizabethton.com or you can mail it to 300 N. Sycamore St., Elizabethton, TN 37643.

Silent cadences...

Campbell provides leadership while marching to the beat of his own drum

* Story By Brittnee Nave & Photos by Brittnee Nave & Larry N. Souders *

Nestled in the hills of Tennessee runs a heartbeat.

In the small community of Butler, Tennessee is a school that serves as more than an educational institution. Little Milligan Elementary School was built in the late 1940s after construction of the Watauga Dam.

This hidden gem is described by teachers as the heartbeat of this community...the hub if you will.

At the helm of this hub is the principal, J.R. Campbell. Campbell calls Butler home and attended the school himself as a youngster. To him, this is home.

“Here, everybody is somebody,” said Campbell. “It is the best place in the world to go to school. I’m not saying it’s the best place to learn. I’m just saying that, here, there is no peer.”

He explained that you could bring a new student to this school at 10 a.m. and by that afternoon they have made a friend. There aren’t really any cliques among this student body, nor are there many disciplinary problems. There is no judgement for money or the clothes you wear. Everyone is someone.

The children at this school come from a tight knit, family oriented atmosphere. In this mountain school, parents and grandparents walked the same halls these students walked, their teachers taught their moms and dads.

The love people have for Little Milligan runs deeper than the Watauga Lake down the road.

Teachers at this institution, some putting in nearly 30 years, extend miles in their reach to teach. Some educators at this school pass by school after school as they trek over half an hour drive every morning to get here.

Suzette and Ray Don Markland are a married couple of educators making this daily trek. The couple call Watauga home...and Little Milligan home too.

“In reality, I would drive twice as far for half the amount of money here as anywhere else,” said Suzette Markland.

Ray Don, who serves as assistant principal, has worked at the school since 1993. Many of his students have parents he also taught.

Ray Don explained that for him and Suzette, while the drive may be long, it’s worth it for these kids. The bond they develop of getting to know these kids is what they believe is essential to helping them learn.

“Here, everybody is somebody.” It is the best place in the world to go to school.

I’m not saying it’s the best place to learn. I’m just saying that, here, there is no peer.”

—J.R. Campbell

Principal

Like her coworkers, Melissa Davies drives half an hour to work, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s the most wonderful school I’ve ever attended, had the privilege of teaching in or been involved with,” she said. “The kids are great. They’re respectful, they listen, they do their work for the most part.”

A bond from one-on-one time is what Davies believes she gives to her students, something she doesn’t know would be as strong in a larger setting. Like many at the school, she doesn’t just know the student, she knows their family.

Brenda Arnold is another educator at Little Milligan who thrives in the atmosphere this little school brings.

The purpose this school brings has reeled in passionate people who take pride in caring for this community heartbeat. This was the call that brought in Tricia Cornett. Cornett is the school nurse who asked to work at the school after it was decided that Little Milligan needed a full-time nurse.

“It’s a little bit different up here,” she said. “It’s very rural up here, very isolated from medical care.”

Along with the beauty of this rural escape comes many having to go far for what they may need. Knowing there is a need for students, and even their families, called to Cornett.

Among the faculty, two things are clear, they love their kids and they say Campbell marches to the beat of his own drum.

“He does a great job of keeping this school the hub of the community,” said Davies. “This school keeps the community functioning.”

This hub leader will seek out remedies to whatever issues his students may be facing, whether he can solve it or he can find someone else who can. He not only loves his school but also his community.

“It’s all about the kids,” beamed Campbell.

As he walked through the halls of this beloved school, he knew the names of his students, he knew where they were from, and to them, he is a friend. On a typical day Campbell can walk into the lunch room where kids will chant his name. For him, he does it all for them.

“Our kids are great,” he said. “I’m glad the rest of the world doesn’t know about us.”