TDOE Appoints Kristy Brown as Chief Academic Officer

Jackson County’s Director of Schools to Lead Academics & CTE

Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced Kristy Brown, Director of Schools for Jackson County Schools, will join the department as Chief Academic Officer (CAO), effective July 15, 2023. Brown's responsibilities as CAO will include the divisions of instructional strategy, early learning, special education and intervention programs, and learning acceleration, including the Reading 360 and TN ALL Corps strategic initiatives, as well as Career and Technical Education (CTE), which prepares students for success in their chosen career pathway after high school graduation.

“Kristy Brown’s leadership at Jackson County Schools has led to strong implementation of innovative programs that support student success, and we are thrilled to have her expertise on our team as we continue our focus on statewide implementation of major academic initiatives and policies set forward by Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly,” said Interim Commissioner Sam Pearcy. “Kristy is a passionate educator who will bring important perspective and experience to support our mission to set all students on a path to success.”

Brown started her career as a Spanish teacher before moving to vice principal and later principal of Jackson County High School. After serving nearly 15 years in the high school setting, she was appointed as director of schools for Jackson County Schools in 2018. 

Under her leadership, Jackson County Schools has been a model district participating in initiatives to boost student academic achievement and learning acceleration, including Reading 360, TN ALL Corps, Innovative School Models, and Grow Your Own. Additionally, Jackson County Schools became part of Reading 360’s Pre-K-12 Literacy Implementation Network and was named a Reading 360 Model District for demonstrating a strong and clear focus on foundational literacy skills. Additionally, through the district’s participation in TN ALL Corps and other strategic initiatives, the district earned the Tennessee Best for All District distinction in 2022.

Brown implemented Teaching as a Profession (TAP) course at Jackson County High School through the Grow Your Own pathway creating a space for high school students to get a jump on their teaching career. Additionally, Jackson County Schools received the Innovative School Models grant to reimagine space and time for their middle and high school students.  

Her appointment as Chief Academic Officer is effective July 15, 2023.  

For more information about Tennessee academics, click here. For more information about CTE, click here. 

For media inquiries, email edu.mediainquiries@tn.gov.

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