Golden ruler awards

Congratulations to Nathan Gayheart and Bri Berger for being named the 2025-2026 Golden Ruler recipients for ATHS!

Mr. Gayheart:

As an ATHS alumnus, Nathan Gayheart is clearly invested in giving back to his old high school. He is incredibly student-focused, always looking for ways to give his kids a head start, whether that's through teaching Dual Enrollment Chem 100 or prepping a second college-credit course for next year. Nathan is relentless about chasing down grants to fund his ideas, like his STEM outreach project where ATHS students lead lessons for local grade schoolers. He even started a STEM Student of the Month award to make sure hardworking kids get the credit they deserve. Students especially love the vibe in his classroom; he often plays old records while they work and even lets them bring in their own to listen to. Nathan is a student favorite and has done a great job of turning his classroom into a real community.

Mrs. Berger:

In her first year at ATHS, Bri Berger has already become a vital part of our school community. As a talented artist in her own right, she brings a level of energy to the classroom that has her students truly excited to create. She doesn’t just teach the basics; she introduces fresh projects and new techniques that challenge her students to push their boundaries, and the "buy-in" from the kids has been incredible to see. One of the biggest wins for our department this year was Bri securing a $20,000 art grant. This funding is a game-changer, allowing us to overhaul our supplies and modernize our facilities. Bri has revitalized a ceramics class and is launching several new art classes to expand our curriculum. Her impact on the student body has been immediate, and we are lucky to have her leading the way for our young artists.