Life Lessons

 

Playing to Your Strengths

Cole Webster Inspired by: Coach Grant Reynolds

 

Every student needs someone in their corner. For Cole Webster, that person was Grant Reynolds, football coach and Bible teacher at Boyd-Buchanan School.

“Coach Reynolds is the master of tough love but the exact person you want your kids to play for,” Webster says. Coach Reynolds instilled a solid work ethic in his students: show up on time, be a team player, take care of the people around you, and outwork the competition. For Webster, these values learned on the field and in the classroom directly contribute to his successes as president and third-generation leader at The Barn Nursery.

Coach Reynolds held a high standard for his students, always pushing them to become the best versions of themselves. “When I was a freshman, I asked for number 63 – previously worn by an all-state defensive tackle,” Webster recalls. “Coach said, ‘Son, you don’t deserve that number,’ and handed me number 78. I made a point to prove to him I did deserve that number, and that next year he gave me the jersey.”

 

 

Webster faced several challenges in high school, falling behind in the classroom and dealing with personal loss. It was mentors like Coach Reynolds who stepped in to bolster Webster and remind him of his strengths. “He taught me day in and day out how to be tough, yet show compassion,” he says, “but more than that he taught me how to work with others and utilize the strengths of those around you.”

When it came to his career journey, Webster always knew his path was leading him to take part in the family business. What wasn’t guaranteed was how he would build on the company’s successes. He says, “Even when others didn’t believe it, I knew I would take things to the next level.” His confidence in building the family business was rooted in the faith Coach Reynolds instilled in him from the start.

Throughout the wins and the losses, Coach Reynolds was there to call on. Webster says, “I’m blessed. Without the impact of guys like Grant, I wouldn’t be here today. I knew then and know today that Grant Reynolds will do anything for me, there’s no doubt in my mind about that. Football and Bible class were always just stepping stones, not a destination.”

Second Photo Courtesy of Cole Webster

 

Sharing Your Joy With Others

Ryan Kirk Kopet Inspired by: Andrew Smith

 

The path into one’s vocation is not always straightforward, but the way is well-lit by educators who instill confidence in their students. Such is the case with interior designer Ryan Kirk Kopet and beloved architecture teacher Andrew (Andy) Smith.

Mr. Smith comes from a family of architects, and he worked to design and preserve many structures in Chattanooga. This background provided him a rich knowledge of architecture, which he shared widely while teaching students from Girls Preparatory School, McCallie School, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. For Kopet, this was the spark she needed while a student at GPS. “Andy gave me confidence in my ever-present interest in architecture,” she shares. “I had been doodling and sketching homes and floorplans my entire childhood, so it was a gift to have an architecture class so early on in my life. It was never a question of how much he believed in me.”

 

 

Kopet followed in Mr. Smith’s footsteps by pursuing architecture at Auburn University, but to her disappointment, outside circumstances forced her to take a different path. “Andy made sure to tell me he was sad, as I was one who would have done great things with it,” she says. However, her journey didn’t end there. Her time spent studying architecture directly translated into her current role as principal designer at Miles and Kirk Design. “I came back to the design world much older and wiser, knowing Andy had been right the whole time.”

Kopet recalls Mr. Smith’s teaching as well as his passionate spirit, which extended beyond the classroom. Mr. Smith often mailed thoughtful cards to friends and students at Christmas: “He sent out delicate handmade ornaments made from natural materials – cotton, seeds, small hand-chosen twigs. My favorite was the year he made dragonflies from whirlybird seeds. I have saved each one he sent, and each Christmas it’s a reminder of my good friend who cares so much for others.”

Mr. Smith inspires Kopet to this day. “I always answer requests from aspiring design students and try to encourage and give direction the same way Andy would,” she shares. “Andy was the encouraging and soulful counterpoint to all the chaos that is trying to pick a career path. Many of us have had our lives changed because of him. Thank you, Andy, from all of us.”

Second Photo Courtesy of Ryan Kirk Kopet

 

Instilling a Culture of Excellence

J. Rob Headrick, Jr. MD, MBA Inspired by: Fred Hubbs and Major Luther Worsham

 

For Dr. Rob Headrick, chief of thoracic surgery at CHI Memorial, life lessons were to be learned both in the classroom and on the field. The Baylor School alum recalls two particularly influential individuals on his early education: Fred Hubbs, geography teacher and football coach, and Major Luther Worsham, biology teacher and football/track coach.

“High school sports have a unique opportunity to further develop someone’s confidence, maturity, and relationship with a teacher,” Dr. Headrick says. “Seeing that demanding teacher in the classroom play a different role as a coach who really wanted me to succeed made me want to work even harder in their classrooms.”

 

 

Dr. Headrick recalls how both educators encouraged him to strive for excellence in academics, athletics, and all aspects of life. “You never showed up to one of their classes hoping to hide in the back, not having read the chapter or done the homework. On the football field, you never wanted to be in the locker room after a game and have one of your teammates look you in the eye knowing you didn’t give it your all, win or lose.”

While a student in Coach Hubbs’ and Major Worsham’s classes, Dr. Headrick didn’t know his career path would lead him from Baylor to a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic and back to Chattanooga. “I don’t think anyone can accurately predict what opportunities will come your way,” Dr. Headrick says. “I certainly could not envision my current role as a leader in the lung cancer efforts nor as a physician in my hometown. Both educators gave me the building blocks to be prepared for life and to take on those opportunities when they presented themselves.”

 

 

Trust, precision, and accountability are key values in Dr. Headrick’s work. He points this work ethic back to the high standards Coach Hubbs and Major Worsham expected of their students: “If you wanted to do great things, you had to do the work.” In the practice of medicine, he applies this philosophy daily. “Patients expect this when they trust us with their lives. Every operation is preceded by decades of hard work; each is well-thought-out and orchestrated in my head with contingencies in place. When things don’t go as planned, you work harder. There is always more to learn about the human body, and sometimes a better way.”

Thanks to the educators who inspired him, Dr. Headrick is passionate about passing on this practice to the next generation of caretakers and leaders. His team works with local high schools as part of a mentorship and educational program. He says, “My hope is to excite students about fields related to science, lung cancer, engineering, and medicine. And maybe someday they will do something they never thought was possible and bring their success back home to help our community.”

Second Photo Courtesy of Dr. Rob Headrick; Third Photo Courtesy of Baylor School

 

On Curiosity and Adaptability

Casey Ridley Inspired by: Dr. Kevin Trobaugh

 

Sometimes, an educator gives us the tools for success that don’t come into play until much later in life. When Casey Ridley took Dr. Kevin Trobaugh’s microeconomics class at Heritage High School, he had no idea that these lessons would one day influence his future vocation.

Ridley is a serial entrepreneur and founder and president of The Designery, a national kitchen and bath company. Before pursuing an entrepreneurial career, however, he wanted to be a surgeon. While on a pre-med track in college, Ridley found himself returning again and again to Dr. Trobaugh’s teachings. “I recalled how much I had genuinely enjoyed learning about economics and problem solving in a way that felt both natural and exciting,” he says. This realization became a turning point that forged
a path for him into business entrepreneurship.

 

One thing that set Dr. Trobaugh’s class apart was how he fostered a culture of curiosity. “Dr. Trobaugh transformed what could have been a complex subject into something accessible and exciting, ensuring that students not only grasped economic principles but also understood their real-world applications,” Ridley says.

Dr. Trobaugh encouraged questions and engaging with multiple perspectives, which Ridley has found to be a fruitful skill to apply in business ventures. “More than just teaching economics, Dr. Trobaugh imparted a way of thinking – one that emphasized adaptability, critical analysis, and strategic problem solving,” he says.

Another key takeaway from Dr. Trobaugh’s class was the ability to work with people of all learning styles. “He recognized that every student processes information differently and tailored his approach to create an inclusive and effective learning environment,” Ridley says. As a result, Ridley has built this principle into professional development models in his business: “Understanding that individuals absorb information in different ways – whether through hands-on experience, auditory instruction, or visual learning – has been instrumental in how I train employees, build standard operating procedures, and develop essential management tools.”

In both the professional and the personal, Ridley falls back on Dr. Trobaugh’s advice: “Never be afraid to raise your hand, think critically, and explore difference perspectives – the more you learn, the more opportunities you create for yourself.” Although he couldn’t have known it at the time, Ridley now sees how Dr. Trobaugh’s influence shaped the business acumen he employs today. He says, “The lessons learned in a high school classroom have come full circle, helping me build businesses where people feel supported, capable, and set up for success.”

Second and Third Photos Courtesy of Casey Ridley

 

Remaining Steadfast

Nick Kyriakidis Inspired by: John “Yo” Strang

 

What Nick Kyriakidis remembers most about his teacher John “Yo” Strang is his joy and resolve.

“He taught by example and truly lived everyday by his faith,” Kyriakidis recalls. “He loved where he was, teaching young boys to become good men.”

Yo taught 7th grade Bible class at McCallie School. He was a World War II veteran and something of a celebrity among the McCallie community. His impact on students extended beyond the curriculum; Yo’s life was a testament of enduring hardship, finding purpose, and sharing kindness. “Faith can guide you out of the darkest places and times of trial,” Kyriakidis says. “His life story demonstrated this.”

Kyriakidis, now managing partner at Acropolis Grill, shares that Yo left an indelible mark on him: “His lessons were filled with such joy. He was teaching basic Bible, but he taught us so much more. One quiz question that I’ll always remember is, ‘Who was on the road to Damascus, and where was Saul going?’”

 

 

Yo’s teaching influenced the character of his students, many of whom would grow into leadership positions, like Kyriakidis. “What he left with me was a clearer image of what servant leadership means, to always have empathy for those around us, and how far genuine kindness goes,” Kyriakidis says. “No matter what profession you pursue, these basic values will serve you well. Our paths are not always a straight line or easy, but these tenets will help anyone be a more successful leader.”

Prepare as we might for the future, life has a way of throwing curveballs. Throughout moments of uncertainty and difficulty in Kyriakidis’ life, he finds strength in the example Yo set for his students. “He was steadfast and never wavered,” Kyriakidis remembers. “In my own personal struggles, I have tried to maintain the same purpose and joy he demonstrated.”

In this way, Yo prepared his students for approaching their businesses and professional lives with the same resolve they practice in their personal lives. Kyriakidis carries this lesson into his work, saying, “I try to show the same kindness to those I work with. We all have such different stories that we can never fully understand one another, but that doesn’t mean kindness is not needed.”

Second Photo Courtesy of Nick Kyriakidis