We want to wish all of our incoming teachers a very Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week! As we count down to our opening this August, we want to take a moment to celebrate the heart of Poplar Hill Middle School—our teachers.
Thank you for choosing to be part of something new. You are the foundation of the culture, the spark behind the learning, and the steady guides who will shape our students’ futures from day one.
We’re building more than a school—we’re building a community rooted in passion, purpose, and pride. Your dedication, creativity, and belief in kids will make Poplar Hill a place where students feel seen, challenged, and inspired.
We are so grateful for you and can’t wait to learn, grow, and lead together. Here’s to an incredible first year and many more to come. 💚💛
Thank you for choosing to be part of something new. You are the foundation of the culture, the spark behind the learning, and the steady guides who will shape our students’ futures from day one.
We’re building more than a school—we’re building a community rooted in passion, purpose, and pride. Your dedication, creativity, and belief in kids will make Poplar Hill a place where students feel seen, challenged, and inspired.
We are so grateful for you and can’t wait to learn, grow, and lead together. Here’s to an incredible first year and many more to come. 💚💛
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Winica Clark, Special Education teacher, to Poplar Hill Middle School! With 15 years of teaching experience and a passion for helping all students grow and succeed, we are proud to have her as part of our inaugural Bobcat staff! 🐾💚💛
🎶 Welcome to PHMS! 🎶Please join us in welcoming Mr. Caleb Littleton to Poplar Hill Middle School as one of our Band Directors! Mr. Littleton brings both expertise and passion to our program. We are excited to see what he will build with our students! 💚💛🐾
🏀🔥 Boys Basketball Tryouts at Poplar Hill Middle! 🔥🏀
Ready to represent Poplar Hill on the court? Show up, work hard, and compete for a spot on the PHMS boys basketball team! Bring energy, effort, and a winning attitude — let’s get after it! 💪🏀
Ready to represent Poplar Hill on the court? Show up, work hard, and compete for a spot on the PHMS boys basketball team! Bring energy, effort, and a winning attitude — let’s get after it! 💪🏀
🎉 Join us in welcoming Ms. Leilani Spigolon to PHMS! Our newest Bobcat brings 26 years of experience supporting students in General & Special Ed (K–12) and is committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where every student can grow and succeed.
🐾💚💛 We’re excited to welcome Mrs. Simmons, 7th grade Math Teacher, to Poplar Hill Middle School! With 14 years of middle school experience and a passion for helping students see the logic and real-world application of math, she’s ready for an amazing first year at PHMS!
🎉 Meet Our Newest Bobcat! 🎉
Please help us welcome Mrs. Ann Britton Norton, our Intro to Social Health teacher, to PHMS! She is passionate about creating hands-on, engaging learning experiences and building strong, meaningful connections with students in a classroom where everyone feels safe, supported, and confident. We are thrilled to have her join us!
Please help us welcome Mrs. Ann Britton Norton, our Intro to Social Health teacher, to PHMS! She is passionate about creating hands-on, engaging learning experiences and building strong, meaningful connections with students in a classroom where everyone feels safe, supported, and confident. We are thrilled to have her join us!
🎉 Welcome to Poplar Hill Middle School, Ms. Tracy Decker! 🎉
Poplar Hill Middle School is excited to welcome Ms. Tracy Decker as our STEM teacher and a member of the inaugural PHMS team! With 29 years in education—including 25 years teaching Science—Ms. Decker brings a wealth of experience and a passion for hands-on, student-centered learning. She looks forward to helping students build confidence, curiosity, and a love for STEM as they discover the excitement of science. We’re thrilled to begin this journey with her! 🐾
Poplar Hill Middle School is excited to welcome Ms. Tracy Decker as our STEM teacher and a member of the inaugural PHMS team! With 29 years in education—including 25 years teaching Science—Ms. Decker brings a wealth of experience and a passion for hands-on, student-centered learning. She looks forward to helping students build confidence, curiosity, and a love for STEM as they discover the excitement of science. We’re thrilled to begin this journey with her! 🐾
🎉 Welcome Mrs. Angela Bunyi to Poplar Hill Middle School as our School Counselor! Mrs. Bunyi brings a wealth of experience and a passion for supporting students, staff, and families. We are excited to have her on our inaugural team! 🐾
🎉 Welcome to Poplar Hill Middle School, Mrs. Angela Bunyi! 🎉
PHMS is thrilled to welcome Mrs. Angela Bunyi as our School Counselor! With extensive experience across elementary and middle school settings, instructional coaching, and student support, she is passionate about helping students thrive both academically and personally. We are excited to have her as part of the inaugural PHMS team supporting our students, staff, and families. 🐾
PHMS is thrilled to welcome Mrs. Angela Bunyi as our School Counselor! With extensive experience across elementary and middle school settings, instructional coaching, and student support, she is passionate about helping students thrive both academically and personally. We are excited to have her as part of the inaugural PHMS team supporting our students, staff, and families. 🐾
🎉 Welcome to Poplar Hill Middle School, Mr. Marcus Sholar! 🎉
Poplar Hill Middle is excited to welcome Mr. Marcus Sholar to the inaugural PHMS staff! With 14 years in education and 10 years of championship-level basketball coaching experience, Mr. Sholar brings a strong commitment to student growth, high expectations, and building meaningful relationships. He is passionate about helping students develop confidence, responsibility, and a love for learning—both in the classroom and beyond.
We are honored to have him help establish the culture, climate, and community of PHMS.
🐾 Go Bobcats! 🐾
Poplar Hill Middle welcomes Coach Brandon Utley as our first Head Baseball Coach! ⚾🐾 He’s excited to build the baseball program from the ground up—setting the foundation, culture, and lasting impact for our student‑athletes. ⚾
🎉 We are excited to welcome Mrs. Melody Morgan to the PHMS inaugural faculty! Mrs. Morgan is passionate about helping students grow confident in reading, writing, and critical thinking. She will be as asset to the Poplar Hill Middle community!
📢 New Student Registration Is Now Open! 📢
Registration for students new to Rutherford County Schools is now open and will close on June 1.
⚠️ Registration will not open again until late July.
✅ If your student is zoned to attend Poplar Hill Middle School next school year, no action is needed at this time.
📝 Who does need to register?
• Students new to Rutherford County Schools
• Students coming from Murfreesboro City Schools
Please be sure to complete registration before the June 1 deadline to ensure a smooth start to the school year.
💚💛 Go Bobcats!
💚💛 Welcome to Poplar Hill Middle School! 🐾
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Charlene Dickerson, who will serve as one of our 7th Grade ELA teachers. With 16+ years of experience, Ms. Dickerson brings a strong commitment to student‑centered learning focused on innovation, critical thinking, intentional dialogue, and exemplary writing. Welcome to the Bobcat family, Mrs. Dickerson! 🐾💚💛
Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Charlene Dickerson, who will serve as one of our 7th Grade ELA teachers. With 16+ years of experience, Ms. Dickerson brings a strong commitment to student‑centered learning focused on innovation, critical thinking, intentional dialogue, and exemplary writing. Welcome to the Bobcat family, Mrs. Dickerson! 🐾💚💛
🐾 Meet Our New Bobcat Counselor! 🐾
We are excited to welcome Ms. Alicia Bonnington as our School Counselor! Ms. Bonnington's goal is to build strong relationships with students and ensure they feel seen, heard, and understood. In addition to counseling, she brings four years of coaching experience in both cheerleading and wrestling. We’re proud to have her supporting our Bobcats—welcome to Poplar Hill!
We are excited to welcome Ms. Alicia Bonnington as our School Counselor! Ms. Bonnington's goal is to build strong relationships with students and ensure they feel seen, heard, and understood. In addition to counseling, she brings four years of coaching experience in both cheerleading and wrestling. We’re proud to have her supporting our Bobcats—welcome to Poplar Hill!
Get Involved at Poplar Hill Middle School!
At Poplar Hill Middle School, we believe student involvement is key to growth, connection, and success. Our Athletics, Fine Arts, and Clubs flyers showcases the many opportunities available for students to participate in extracurricular activities that match their interests and talents.
From competitive sports and creative fine arts to a variety of student clubs, there is truly something for every Bobcat.
📄 View the flyers to explore all opportunities and get involved! Check back often as we add to our coaching staff and tryout information.
💚💛 We look forward to meeting you at our Poplar Hill Preview Nights!
Come meet your administrators, teachers, coaches, club sponsors, order your school spirit wear, and more!
💚💛 Go Bobcats!
A Big Bobcat welcome to Mrs. Rebecca Larson! 🐾🎉 She’s excited to join the PHMS 7th‑grade team and brings a passion for making math fun, meaningful, and connected to everyday life! Welcome to Poplar Hill Middle, Mrs. Larson!✨
Join us in welcoming Dr. Laura Patterson to the Poplar Hill Middle team!🐾🎉📚 With 21 years of experience, she joins PHMS as our Academic Reading Interventionist, bringing passion, expertise, and a love for helping students grow into confident readers!
A Big Bobcat welcome to Mr. Jay McGee! 🐾🎉 With 26 years as an educator and coach, he brings passion, experience, and a commitment to helping students grow academically and athletically. We’re excited to have him at PHMS!