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Blount County honors teacher John Covey after students post state-leading dual-credit business pass rate
Summary
Blount County Schools recognized John Covey, business teacher at Eagleton College and Career Academy, after his students achieved a 64% pass rate on the state dual-credit business exam — the highest reported in Tennessee for the school year.
Blount County Schools recognized John Covey, a business teacher and work-based learning coordinator at Eagleton College and Career Academy, at its Sept. 1 board meeting for student success in the state dual-credit business course.
Principal Mark Dowling introduced Covey and credited him with starting Eagleton’s math and business programs during the high school’s early years, coaching robotics as a volunteer and overseeing student placements with local employers. Director of Schools Ridge also thanked Covey for his contributions.
According to the district presentation, Covey’s students achieved a 64% pass rate on the state dual-credit business exam in 2024–25, compared with a stated statewide average of 12%. The district said successful exam completion yields college credit in the introduction to business course at Tennessee state schools. The presentation also noted that more than 90% of students who completed Covey’s class were enrolled in college.
Covey, who was named Blount County Schools High School Teacher of the Year for 2023–24 and the East Tennessee Regional High School Teacher of the Year, said the recognition is “about the kids.” “At the end of the day, I do this because I love being with my kids,” Covey told the board. “I want them to be able to get out and go do whatever they wanna do in the world.”
School officials highlighted Covey’s nontraditional background — small-business ownership, prison ministry work, and experience as a national park ranger — as factors he brings to career and technical instruction. The board watched a district-produced video about his classroom and work-based learning activities during the meeting.
Why it matters: The district presented this as evidence that work-based learning and dual-credit offerings can yield measurable academic results and postsecondary enrollment for students in career-related programs.
Next steps: The district will continue to support dual-credit courses and work-based placements at Eagleton; no new board action on the dual-credit course was recorded at the meeting.
