







Help Us Welcome Ms. Ploch!
After longtime French teacher Ms. Welch began a new journey at East Franklin, FHS found itself in need of a second foreign language teacher. Word quickly spread that our very own Ms. Ploch, an ESL Assistant was a certified Spanish teacher. After a great conversation, she enthusiastically agreed to step into the classroom and join Mr. Jay in our Foreign Language Department.
From Ms. Ploch:
"Culture has always been vital to who I am. My parents instilled in me a love of art and the experience of other cultures, which ignited my passion to teach and share knowledge with others. I moved to America from Colombia, South America, to continue my education. Over the past 20 years, I have dedicated myself to educating both others and myself. During that time, I married the love of my life and we were blessed with two wonderful children. For the past 13 years, Franklin has been my home, where I have served the community through the Health Department by teaching diabetes prevention. My name is Maria Ploch, though everyone knows me as Ms. Maria."
We are excited to welcome Ms. Ploch into this new role and know she will make a tremendous impact on our students and school community!

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, I want to make you aware of several important policies that impact all Franklin High School students.
Cell Phone Use
This year, North Carolina passed a state law addressing the use of cell phones in schools. In compliance with this law, Franklin High School has implemented a cell phone policy designed to support student focus, learning, and safety. Please review the attached Cell Phone Policy Handout for specific guidelines and expectations.
Attendance
Our attendance policy remains unchanged from the 2024–2025 school year. Regular attendance is essential for academic success, and we will continue to hold students accountable for making up missed time when absences occur. Please see the attached Attendance Policy Handout for details.
Tardy Policy (New for 2025–2026)
The one change this year is the addition of a policy for unexcused tardies. Being on time is critical to maintaining a productive classroom environment, and this new measure is intended to help reduce disruptions and set consistent expectations across all classes. The full explanation is included in the attached handout.
We appreciate your support as we work together to maintain a positive learning environment. These policies are in place to help prepare students for success both in and beyond high school.
If you have any questions after reviewing the attached documents, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for partnering with us for another successful school year.
FHS Administration



















Please join us in welcoming Ms. Tara Riddle to Franklin High School and our EC Department! Ms. Riddle will be working alongside Ms. Sherrie Houston, stepping into the role previously held by Mr. Rodney Vanhook (We miss you Rodney!). We’re excited to have her on board and look forward to the care and experience she brings to our students and staff. Some out there in Panther Nation may recognize Ms. Riddle as the mother of former Panther Basketball player Joe Riddle.
With a diverse background in education and a deep appreciation for the Franklin community, Ms. Riddle is a fantastic addition to FHS.
A Message from Ms. Riddle:
"Hi. My name is Tara Riddle. I am so excited for my new adventure as an EC Assistant at FHS! My husband and I have recently returned to these beautiful mountains after living out west for many years. I earned a degree in Therapeutic Recreation from WCU in 1989 and my elementary teaching degree at University of Montana Western in 1994. I have worked in schools for almost 20 years as a classroom teacher, teacher’s aide, one-on-one paraprofessional, and substitute teacher. My son graduated from FHS in 2022, and now I am proud to say I am also a Franklin Panther."


Mr. Smith joined FHS mid-year last year, stepping into the role previously held by longtime history teacher Mr. John DeVille, who retired after a distinguished career. From day one, Mr. Smith hit the ground running—bringing energy, creativity, and a passion for making history both engaging and fun. His students responded, and he quickly became a valued and respected member of the FHS staff.
A Message from Mr. Smith
“I have called Franklin, North Carolina, home for the past 21 years, having spent my early childhood in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I was homeschooled from kindergarten through 12th grade, earned my Associate of Arts from Southwestern Community College, and later graduated from Western Carolina University (Go Cats!) with majors in Secondary Social Studies Education and History.
While this is my first year as a full-time teacher at FHS, I have spent nearly four years as a substitute teacher in Macon County Schools. During that time, I also served as Director of Youth Ministries at a local church, where I gained valuable experience teaching, mentoring, and helping students grow into their best selves.
In October 2023, I married my amazing wife, Sarah-Jane (formerly Ms. Bowman at MVI). Together, we enjoy outdoor adventures—whether it’s hiking in our beautiful mountains, paddleboarding, or camping along our area’s scenic lakes.
I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to continue my journey here at FHS. Let’s go, Panthers!”


Ms. Jaycee Rogers joins us from Highlands School with an impressive background in English and Communication, along with several years of teaching experience. We’re excited and grateful to welcome her to the FHS family!
From Ms. Rogers:
“Hi! My name is Jaycee Rogers, and I am very excited to join the Franklin High School English Department! I’m a graduate of Robbinsville High School and UNC Chapel Hill, where I earned a BA in English Literature and Communication Studies. I recently completed my Master of Arts in Teaching at Western Carolina University.
This will be my fifth year teaching English. I began my career at Robbinsville Middle School and spent the past two years serving high school students at Highlands School. I’ve lived in Franklin for two years now and started my family here! We have one beautiful daughter and two very spoiled dogs who all love being outdoors. We enjoy spending time on the lake, trails, and rivers together. I can’t wait to start this next chapter at Franklin High School!”




FHS is thrilled to introduce our new Head Men's Soccer Coach, Bryan Wilkinson, who joins our Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department as a valued member of our teaching staff.
Mr. Wilkinson brings an impressive blend of expertise and experience that will greatly benefit our CTE program. His deep commitment to students and passion for their success is widely recognized, making him a wonderful addition to the FHS family.
From Mr. Wilkinson:
"I am a passionate educator and coach with 29 years of experience in both middle and high school settings. Throughout my career, I’ve taught a wide range of subjects with a strong emphasis on science and STEM education, striving to create engaging, student-centered learning environments. As a coach, I’ve led soccer programs at various levels, focusing not only on skill development and competitive excellence but also on character, leadership, and teamwork. My goal in education is to support students' growth—academically, athletically, and personally—preparing them for success both in and out of the classroom."
We are excited to have Mr. Wilkinson on board and look forward to the positive impact he will make at FHS!


Please help us give a warm Panther welcome to Ms. Kim Stanley, who is joining our EC Department this year! Ms. Stanley will be working alongside Ms. Sherrie Houston, stepping into the role previously held by Ms. Patti, who we hope is enjoying a well-deserved retirement.
We’re excited for the love, care, and experience Ms. Stanley brings to the classroom. Her nurturing presence and strong background in education will be a wonderful addition to our FHS family.
A Message from Ms. Stanley:
Hello! I’m Kimberley Stanley. I’ve been married to my husband Scottie for 28 years, and we have four children—Noah, Sarah, Jonah, and Hannah—and two beautiful grandchildren, Scarlett and Rustyn. They are truly the loves of my life.
I’m transferring from South Macon Elementary, where I spent 10 years in first grade and have served in the school system for 14 years. Outside of work, I enjoy baking, reading, camping, spending time with family, and going to church.
I’m thrilled to be joining Franklin High School’s EC Department as an assistant in Ms. Sherrie Houston’s class and look forward to an amazing school year ahead!



Please help us welcome back Ms. Cindy Harrell! While many of you know her from teaching Career Management last year, this year she’ll be transitioning into our Project Management course. Ms. Harrell is one of the most passionate Panthers you'll ever meet—she truly bleeds red and white.
In addition to her new teaching role, Ms. Harrell will also be leading our Student Leadership Club. These two groups—Student Leadership and Project Management—work together on several key events throughout the year, including one of our most beloved traditions: FHS March Madness UNIFY. Her energy, commitment, and heart for our students make her a perfect fit to guide both programs.
And for those asking about Mr. Clinton Taylor—stay tuned! We’ll be introducing his new role very soon.
A Message from Ms. Harrell:
"My name is Cindy Harrell, and most people know me as Coach Cindy or Coach 'C.' I'm an FHS alumna who grew up dreaming of being a Panther, and I truly believe in the saying, 'Once a Panther, ALWAYS a Panther!' I'm entering my second year teaching at FHS and my 11th year in education overall. I’ve served as Head JV Girls Volleyball Coach for eight years and am also part of the Basketball, Baseball, and Men’s Volleyball coaching staffs.
This year, I’m excited to teach Project Management and Adobe Software, and I’m especially honored to lead our Student Leadership organization. These two groups collaborate throughout the year and are the driving force behind events like the incredible FHS March Madness UNIFY Game, among many other projects that support our faculty, schools, and community. Please come out and support FHS whenever you can—and be sure to introduce yourself. I love building our Panther Family!"


Over the past few months, we’ve worked with Varsity and BSN to create an official “branding locker” for Franklin High School. It includes our official color codes and official logos—each one unique to FHS. (Have you spotted the Easter egg hidden in the new Panther head?)
🛍️ Check out the links below for new Panther gear featuring the updated branding! Each sport has its own custom designs—so we recommend browsing them all.
💰 Bonus: When you order from a team’s specific link, a portion of the sale goes directly to support that sport!
Shop Now:
• Cross Country – https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/LSd3JoZF3X
• Girls Tennis – https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/E55w5ZVRt5
• Football – https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/ywgAHFVUJ2
• Boys Soccer – https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/muUpruPr2o
• Volleyball – https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/CKQMAVQTUc
Go Panthers! 🐾










We’re excited to welcome Mr. Dennis James to Franklin High School and our Math Department! Mr. James brings with him an impressive 28 years of experience in education, along with a rich background in both military and nonprofit service. He comes to us from Madison City Schools near Huntsville, Alabama, and we are thrilled to have him join the FHS team.
His passion for education, coupled with real-world experience and a heart for service, make him a great addition to our Panther Family.
A Message from Mr. James:
"Hi, I’m Dennis James, and I’m excited to join the outstanding team at Franklin High School this year! While this is my first year teaching math at FHS, I bring 28 years of experience from Madison City Schools near Huntsville, AL. I earned my Ed.S. from the University of Alabama and previously served six years in the U.S. Air Force, as well as two years with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
My wife, Mary Pat, and I moved to Franklin four years ago and opened a small hostel for hikers along the Appalachian Trail. In our free time, we love hiking and trekking—and last year, we completed the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage across Spain!
I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the families of this wonderful community."


We’re proud to welcome another FHS alumna back home! Ms. Kennedy Moritz is joining our math department, bringing with her a strong foundation in education and valuable real-world experience to help students connect with math in meaningful ways.
A Message from Ms. Moritz:
"My name is Kennedy Moritz, and I am excited to teach math at Franklin High School (FHS). I graduated from Kennesaw State University and taught for two years in the metro Atlanta public school system. As someone who grew up in Macon County and graduated from FHS, I’m thrilled to be back and look forward to teaching the future of our community. Outside the classroom, I enjoy cats, hiking, lighthearted Korean dramas, and music. Here’s to a great school year!"


Please join us in welcoming someone many of you already know, but who is new to the Franklin High staff—Mrs. Denise Shields! Mrs. Shields is joining our Math Department, and we are thrilled to have her as part of the FHS team.
Rumor has it… she makes a mean cup of lemonade. 🍋
