LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville's Foster Traditional Academy teaches students to march to their own beat.

What You Need To Know

  • Foster Traditional Academy is home of Jefferson County Public Schools' (JCPS) first elementary drill team  

  • First-grade teacher Brittany Fears started the program

  • She was in the Kentucky Army National Guard  

  • Fears said she hopes to expand the program to more schools 

Second-grader Makahi McClain has been on Foster Traditional Academy’s drill team for two years.

"Foster’s the best drill team in elementary history," McClain said. 

First-grade teacher Brittany Fears started the program. It’s open to students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

"I want to teach my kids to be leaders, and I also want to teach them discipline," Fears said. "And I want them in the right place at the right time, making the right decisions."

Fears spent 10 years in the Kentucky Army National Guard. She said she hopes the drill team will positively impact students' futures. 

"If we can instill the discipline in them at a younger level, it might help them make better decisions in the future," Fears said. 

It’s the first time Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) elementary-age students like McClain have the chance to learn everything from standing at attention to an 8-count, all while creating lasting relationships and memories.

Fears added she hopes to help other elementary schools start their own drill team. 

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