| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 186.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 4 Mar 2007.
"I love it. It's Where I'm Supposed to Be"
(c)2007 NPT PHOTO BY DUAY O'NEIL Love Henderson, left, Criminal Justice instructor at Ben W. Hooper Vocational School, talks with Cocke County deputies CJ Ball, center, and Steve Johnson about an upcoming lesson for her students.
By: Duay O'Neil
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
03-04-2007
[Editor's Note: This is the 15th in a series of articles about Ben W. Hooper Vocational School, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.]
Love Henderson, Criminal Justice instructor at Ben W. Hooper Vocational School, credits her high school counselor, Beauanne Ford, with helping her find her niche. " I've always wanted to be in the criminal justice field," says Henderson, "and she helped guide me along the way." Following her graduation from Cosby High School in 1990, she first entered Walters State Community College where she earned her Associate's degree in Public Safety in 1993. From there her next educational step came with the achievement of her Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice in 2006. Henderson earned this degree on-line from American Intercontinental University, which is accredited by the Tennessee Department of Education. Currently she is enrolled in Tusculum College in pursuit of her Master's degree in Education and Organizational Training, with a target date for graduation of March 11, 2008. Henderson didn't wait until she finished all her educational studies before she became involved in the world of criminal justice. From 1993-1997, she worked as a Cocke County jailer during the tenure of Sheriff Tunney Moore. She left that position to become an adult misdemeanor probation officer with East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA), a job she held until 2002. In that year, Henderson joined East Tennessee Probation as a juvenile probation officer. Meanwhile Henderson also began her work as Family Resource Director at Ben W. Hooper. "It's a great job," says Henderson. "We help needy families in many ways. For example, at Christmas, we provided Christmas for 58 families, a number that included 154 children." Family Resource Services was begun by Kim (Drinnon) Morton over ten years ago. Morton is now an elementary guidance counselor who divides her time between Smoky Mountain and Cosby Elementary Schools. "When Kim left, she was so helpful to me," Henderson says. "She passed along a 19-page directory of resources which she compiled. This directory helps us put people in touch with the right agency." Among the agencies listed in the directory are those for alcoholics, people in need of anger management services, groups which will help fire victims, and places which provides coats for the cold weather. "We also work with Wal-Mart on Project Insight. Through this we can provide 20 free eye exams and glasses for students. We can also help adults get glasses through our work with the Lions Club," adds Henderson. According to Henderson, Family Resource Center receives referrals from different agencies. "In turn," she continues, "we sometimes refer children to DHS if we suspect child abuse." On January 14, 2004, Henderson began her work as CCHAMPS coordinator. This program helped serve children who had either been suspended or expelled from school. "Under this program, the children could continue to work and not just sit at home," says Henderson. Henderson's jobs grew to include that of Criminal Justice teacher in August, 2006. "I love it," she enthuses. "It's where I'm supposed to be." Prior to Henderson, CCHS teacher Kim Moore taught the Criminal Justice classes. "Kim was also very helpful," says Henderson, "passing along everything she had used in her classes." According to Henderson, she and her 45 students cover all sorts of subjects during their semester together. "I invite people from different areas of Criminal Justice to visit the class and talk to them about their jobs. The speakers tell them what sorts of educational requirements their jobs entail. I've had lawyers, FBI agents, deputies, police officers, judges, Rescue Squadsmen, detectives, and meth officers visit them," Henderson explains. Another lesson Henderson and her students enjoy centers around a mock trial. "Everyone plays out a part," says Henderson. "We also attend court and the students take notes on the trials. Then we come back and discuss the cases. And, we also tour the jail," Henderson adds. One of the pluses about the class involves the textbook. "We use the same textbook here that is used in college. My graduates can go on to Walters States and take a comprehensive test over the book. If they pass, they don't have to repeat the course in college," says Henderson. What does the future hold for Henderson and her classes? "We're hoping to simulate a crime scene this semester," Henderson answers. "Also, in the future, I'd love to see Criminal Justice II and III classes added to the curriculum." When not in the classroom, Henderson can often be found around the courthouse. She was recently elected to the Cocke County Legislative Body as the District I, Post I representative. She is also an active member of Unity Baptist Church where she teaches the Beginners Class. "I grew up in Mt. Zion Baptist Church and New Prospect Baptist Church in Hartford," says Henderson. Henderson is the daughter of Jerry and Glenda Henderson, who live on Britt Road in Hartford. Her dad recently retired from the Cocke County Highway Department, and her mom is secretary at Cosby Elementary School. She has one brother and sister-in-law, Brandon and Mandy Henderson, who live in the Denton community and who are looking forward to the birth of their first child.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 29 May 2010.
Henderson seeks re-election for First District CLB
Melinda "Love" Henderson is announcing her candidacy for re-election to the Cocke County Legislative Body, District 1, Post 1.
Henderson attended Hartford Elementary School, and graduated from Cosby High School. She graduated from Walter's State Community College with an Associate's Degree in Public Safety, and received her Bachelor's Degree from American Intercontinental University in Criminal Justice. She will graduate from East Tennessee State University in July with a Masters Degree in Secondary Education. She teaches Criminal Justice at both Cosby High School and Cocke County High School, and Career Management at Cosby High, and has just been granted tenure.
She is an active member of Unity Baptist Church where she teaches the Beginner's Class.
Henderson has served on the CLB for the past four years,representing not only her district, but the entire county. She has worked on various county-wide projects. She feels it takes everyone working together to get things done, and she always tries to make the fairest decisions for her district which will help every family living there. She will always listen to any concerns, whether she is contacted by phone or in person, by those in her district as well as any where else in the county.
"Family is important," Henderson says. "I will try to see as many of you as possible during the next two months, but I know I will not be able to see everyone. However, as in the past, I will promise you that I will not campaign at church, at funeral homes, or at benefits. I feels like these are times when families need privacy."
Henderson enjoys spending time with her family; parents,Jerry and Glenda Henderson of Hartford; brother, Brandon and his wife Mandy of Newport, and the apple of her eye, her nephew, Caden, who is 3 years old.
"I humbly ask for your vote and support on Aug. 3,"Henderson said in closing.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 21 Aug 2011.
Jerry and Glenda Henderson recently observed their 40th wedding anniversary and were honored with a reception hosted by their children. Jerry Henderson and Glenda Norwood were married July 3, 1971, by Dr. Frank Bell at Webb Baptist Church. They are the parents of three children: Love Henderson, a teacher in the Cocke County School System, Brandon Henderson, a mold technician at Phoenix Closures, and Jonathan, who is deceased. Brandon and his wife, the former Amanda Teague, are the parents of the Henderson’s grandson, Caden. Jerry is retired from the Cocke County Highway Department, and Glenda is Administrative Assistant at Cosby Elementary School. From left are Brandon, Jerry, Love, Caden, Glenda, and Mandy Henderson.
Hendersons celebrate 40th anniversary
|
Search | Advanced Search
[4] 
