Tennessee Announces 2019-20 Principal, District Supervisor of the Year Finalists
Administrators receive state’s highest mark of recognition through rigorous application processNASHVILLE— Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced the nine finalists for the
2019-20 Tennessee Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year awards today. The finalists represent each Center of Regional Excellence (CORE) region in the state, with three finalists in each Grand Division (West, Middle and East).
“Strong leadership is vital to the success of our students,” Schwinn said. “I’ve traveled the state and have seen first-hand how leaders positively impact our students on a daily basis. These are the people who go above and beyond for our kids and educators. It is my pleasure to recognize and celebrate these dedicated leaders who support education across the state.”
The Tennessee Principal of the Year award is given annually to a school leader for outstanding service in education and exceptional leadership that drives overall improvements in his or her school. To qualify, candidates must have a minimum of three years' experience as a principal and a minimum of five years' experience in Tennessee public schools. In addition, all nominees must have a proven track record of exceptional gains in student learning.
The nine finalists for 2019-20 Principal of the Year are:
| CORE Region | Principal | School | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby/Municipals | Anna Jones | Arlington Elementary | Arlington Municipal School District |
| Southwest | Varissa Richardson | Munford Elementary School | Tipton County |
| Northwest | David Kibbler | Henry Elementary School | Henry County |
| CORE Region | Principal | School | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid Cumberland | Jessica Harris | Minglewood Elementary School | Clarksville-Montgomery County |
| South Central | Julie Tidwell | Mt. Pleasant Elementary | Maury County |
| Upper Cumberland | Sara Cope | BonDeCroft Elementary | White County |
| CORE Region | Principal | School | District |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast | LeAndrea Ware | The Howard School | Hamilton County |
| East Tennessee | Jenna Sharp | Clinton Elementary School | Clinton City Schools |
| First Tennessee | Jeff Kinsler | Morristown-Hamblen High School West | Hamblen County |
Each year an outstanding public school supervisor earns distinction as the Tennessee Supervisor of the Year. To qualify, candidates must demonstrate a record of implementing innovative programs and managing and motivating students and faculties. Additionally, the nominees must have a minimum of three years' experience as a administrator and a minimum of five years' experience in Tennessee public schools.
The nine finalists for 2019-20 Supervisor of the Year are:
| CORE Region | Supervisor | District |
|---|---|---|
| Shelby/Municipals | Korrie White | Bartlett Municipal School District |
| Southwest | Susan Farris | Lauderdale County |
| Northwest | Michelle Goad | Gibson County Special School District |
| CORE Region | Supervisor | District |
|---|---|---|
| Mid Cumberland | Joseph Jones | Cheatham County |
| South Central | Robb Killen | Maury County |
| Upper Cumberland | Bonnie Patterson | Cannon County |
| CORE Region | Supervisor | District |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast | Michael Kahrs | Cleveland City Schools |
| East Tennessee | Jennifer Malone | Loudon County |
| First Tennessee | Charles Carter | Hamblen County Schools |
Principal and Supervisor of the Year finalists will proceed to an in-person interview that will be held in in the coming weeks where each will meet with a panel of interviewers made up of department staff and other education leaders. Winners for each Grand Division and the Tennessee Principal and Supervisor of the Year will be selected from this group and announced at a banquet on Nov. 5, during the department’s LEAD Conference in Nashville.
For more information about the Principal or Supervisor of the Year program, contact David Donaldson, assistant commissioner of human capital, at David.Donaldson@tn.gov. For media inquiries, please contact Jennifer Johnson, director of communications, at 615-532-6260 or Jennifer.Johnson@tn.gov.