Teachers at Bearden now have a new way to recognize their students’ achievements in the classroom with the addition of two new bulletin boards in the West Mall in between the library and cafeteria doors.

One bulletin board is called “Bulldawg Barks” and features notes from teachers about the students they feel are going above and beyond in their class. The other, called “Bulldawg Bites,” shows current and former BHS students that have been recognized by their community in some form, such as newspaper articles.

“I like that they draw attention to certain students who may not be always recognized, especially since it seems like athletic achievement is recognized heavily because that’s what everyone sees, but this is recognition for being a good person,” Bearden senior Laura Harris said.

While they are still working on collecting more community recognitions for the “Bites” board, many teachers have already begun to fill the other with their “Barks”. Coach John Rice has already put up three in the week that they have been up.

“Ultimately, what I notice is that students need recognition, and I look in my classroom and say, ‘Who’s doing something that’s really catching my eye?’ and every time they do that, I’m going to put something out there, so they better get a bigger wall,” Coach Rice said.

Some of the students that have already been recognized on the wall feel that it’s a great way to build confidence.

“I think they’re a great addition,” Bearden junior and “Bark” receiver Claire Luttrell said. “I was really honored and a bit surprised to be recognized by Ms. (Susanne) Huber for all the work I was putting in for Algebra II.”

It seems that not only are these new boards a great way to acknowledge the small and large accomplishments of Bearden students, but also a way to encourage them to work harder, help more, and be better.