We’re back for another round of the teacher–company partnership program, and we couldn’t be more excited! This year, Create Appalachia is teaming up with CTE teacher Annette True and her students at John Sevier Middle School in Kingsport. Together, we’ll dive into a design project that kicks off in October and wraps up in April 2026.

Our founder, Cher Cornett, will start by introducing students to some design basics. From there, the kids will dream up a project of their own and carry it through to completion. Along the way, they’ll not only learn about digital art and design but also get practice in collaboration, creative problem-solving, and applying their new skills to a real-world challenge. And let’s be honest—there’s going to be a whole lot of joy and creativity baked in too.

Last year, we partnered with Boones Creek Elementary on a graphic design project, and it was amazing to watch what the students came up with. We can’t wait to see what these bright young minds create this time around. In May, all of the participating schools and community partners will gather to share their projects, and it’s always inspiring to see what these teams accomplish together.

This program is made possible by the Center of Excellence in STEM Education at ETSU, with sponsorship from the Niswonger Foundation, the Tennessee STEM Education Workshop, and ETSU’s College of Business and Technology. We’re so grateful to be part of something that connects schools, students, and community partners in such a powerful way.