State Senator Ken Yager made a stop at Campbell High on Monday

State Senator Ken Yager was right at home in classrooms at Campbell County High School on Monday afternoon. One of the classes he spoke with was Jarrod Cape’s (right) U-S History class.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- A meeting with local leaders and officials with United Rare Earths brought State Senator Ken Yager to Campbell County on Monday. However, after those meetings, he made a special visit to Campbell County High School speaking to students in a couple of classrooms.

The 5th term senator, also a former 7th and 8th grade school teacher, spoke with students in Gabe Keen’s World History Class and Jarrod Cape’s U.S. History Class. “I feel back home being in the classroom,” Yager said.

Cougar Baseball student-athlete Eli Ellison and State Senator Ken Yager talk World History in Mr. Gabe Keen’s class on Monday afternoon.

When Yager walked in to Keen’s class, he briefly chatted with front row student-athlete Eli Ellison. The two discussed the current topic in Mr. Keen’s class, the Industrial Revolution.

Just like that, Yager, who has been in office since 2008, was in front of the class drawing comparison to the post Civil War times to the current industrial state in Campbell County and its relationship with United Rare Earths. “Back then, we had new technology, we had a workforce and there was a demand. The same can be said today of what’s happening right here in Campbell County through United Rare Earths,” said Yager.

Left to right are Director of Schools Jennifer Fields, World History teacher and CCHS Fishing Coach Gabe Keen, Third District School Board Member Brandon Johnson, Jose’ Ayala, the senator’s assistant, and State Senator Ken Yager.

“I’ll call it the new Industrial Revolution for Campbell County, and I’m excited about this major project,” the fifth term senator added. He stated that Campbell County will soon be on the international map (through United Rare Earths).

Third District School Board Member Brandon Johnson, left, with State Senator Ken Yager. Johnson is explaining to Jarrod Cape’s U-S History Class that the senator is a bit of a history nerd.

World War I is the current topic in Cape’s class, and Yager stepped forward and introduced students to World War I hero Alvin C. York, a man from nearby Fentress County (Jamestown), in Yager’s district. Sergeant York was an American soldier who was one of the most decorated U-S Army soldiers in WWI. “You’ve given us a preview of next week’s lesson which will include Sgt. York,” said Cape.

Brooke Goddard, left, listens as State Senator Ken Yager shares a story. Goddard teaches Advance Placement Human Geography.

Also mentioned to students by Yager was that “Tennessee leads the nation”. That should be our new slogan, because the secret about Tennessee is out, Yager explained. “There are a thousand people a month moving into my district,” said Yager.

Yager did not leave each classroom without offering some advice to the students. “Do the best possible job in school and get the best possible education you can,” said Yager. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-09/09/2025-6AM)

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