Ninety-four years ago, Homer Pittard Campus School opened as a teacher training school at Middle Tennessee State University, known then as Middle Tennessee State Teachers College.
On Tuesday, April 11, the K-5 school hosted a reunion and open house for the thousands of students and educators who have climbed the school’s infamous tall steps throughout the years.
Homer Pittard Campus School students and parents visit one of the historical displays in the school’s gymnasium Tuesday, April 11, during the school’s open house at its Lytle Street location. The laboratory teacher training school is a partnership between Rutherford County Schools and Middle Tennessee State University. (Photo courtesy of James Evans, Rutherford County Schools)
A Homer Pittard Campus School fifth grader explains his living history project about human rights activist Malcolm X on Tuesday, April 11, during the Campus School Open House event at its Lytle Street location. The laboratory teacher training school is a partnership between Rutherford County Schools and Middle Tennessee State University. (Photo courtesy of James Evans, Rutherford County Schools)
In the school’s gymnasium, there were booths containing photos and other memorabilia from each decade. Teachers greeted and chatted with visitors as they explored the school’s vast history.
MTSU began as a teacher training college in 1911, and the Campus School — originally the Middle Tennessee State Teachers College Training School — functioned as a laboratory for aspiring teachers from MTSU to practice their craft in real classrooms.
As part of this year’s open house celebration, the school honored past principal Liz Whorley, who served the school as a teacher and then principal from 1965-1985. Whorley is also the granddaughter of John Price Buchanan, the only Tennessee governor from Rutherford County.
Rutherford County Schools Director Jimmy Sullivan, left, stands next to former Homer Pittard Campus School principal Liz Whorley, who was honored Tuesday, April 11, during the annual Campus School Open House at its Lytle Street location. Whorley served the school as a teacher and then principal from 1965 to 1985. The laboratory teacher training school is a partnership between Rutherford County Schools and Middle Tennessee State University. (Photo courtesy of James Evans, Rutherford County Schools)
“We did have good years here,” Whorley said during the ceremony. “It was made that way because of good teachers, great students, supportive families and the community, and support from the university and Rutherford County School system.”
Fifth-grade students at the school also used the opportunity to present their living history projects. Those students interacted with visitors, too, as they roamed the hallways and visited classrooms.
Homer Pittard Campus School is operated as a partnership between Rutherford County Schools and MTSU. The school district operates the school, and the university owns the building.
Education students attending MTSU work alongside RCS teachers to gain classroom experience for their future teaching careers.
The school is one of several RCS choice schools open to any elementary students countywide.
— James Evans, Rutherford County Schools
Homer Pittard Campus School teachers chat with parents visiting historical displays in the gymnasium Tuesday, April 11, during the school’s open house at its Lytle Street location. The laboratory teacher training school is a partnership between Rutherford County Schools and Middle Tennessee State University. (Photo courtesy of James Evans, Rutherford County Schools)
Homer Pittard Campus School staff and guests mingle during an open house Tuesday, April 11, at its Lytle Street location. The school welcomed former teachers, staff, students and supporters as well as parents. The laboratory teacher training school is a partnership between Rutherford County Schools and Middle Tennessee State University. (Photo courtesy of James Evans, Rutherford County Schools)
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