Tuscola High School is located in Haywood County in the Great Smoky Mountain region of Western North Carolina. Average student population is about 1000 students. The FFA organization typically has about 100 members. The community is a mix of rural and suburban. Waynesville, the county seat, has a population of approximately 10,000.
Beth Ross is in her 13th year of teaching Horticulture and Environmental and Natural Resources. She graduated from the University of NC at Asheville with a degree in biology and received her Agricultural Education certification from NCA&T University. While attending college, she worked at the North Carolina Agriculural Research Stations in Waynesville and Fletcher. Ms. Ross has a rescue dog named Boo. She can be reached at bross@haywood.k12.nc.us
John Best is in his 39th year of teaching Agricultural Mechanics, Agriscience, Ag. Production, and Horticulture (early in his career). He received his B.S. in Agriculture from Berea College and M.S. in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Tennessee. He managed the Waynesville office of Farm Credit Service for 5 years. He earned National Board certification in 2003 Mr. Best is married to Ginny Best and has two daughters and 4 grand children. He can be reached at jbest@haywood.k12.nc.us.