Today, the Tennessee Department of Education, in partnership with Belmont University, announced 57 school leaders selected to the 2024-25 cohort of the Tennessee Rural Principals Network (TRPN), which is a comprehensive approach to improve the preparation, retention, and development of principals in rural communities across Tennessee.
“With Tennessee hosting the fifth-largest number of rural students nationwide, this initiative is crucial in fostering educational leadership in communities across our state,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “We are excited to partner with Belmont University for the next cohort of the Tennessee Rural Principals Network, to provide these school leaders with professional development opportunities to further the important work of setting all our students up for future success.”
The Tennessee Rural Principals Network launched in 2018, giving rural principals an opportunity to learn and grow together through in-person and online learning sessions, focusing on leadership coaching and job-embedded activities. During this cohort, over the next three years, participants will explore the unique challenges and opportunities in rural school leadership, learn strategies to ensure high-quality instruction and the recruitment, retention, and support of rural educators, build relationships among other rural district leaders, and access effective resources in the rural context.
The names of the school leaders participating in the 2024-25 Tennessee Rural Principals Network cohort are as follows:
Josh Holtcamp, Whitwell Middle School, Marion County Schools
Matt Alred, Michie Elementary School, McNairy County Schools
Josh Deal, Moore County High School, Moore County Schools
Brittany Simmons, Hillcrest Elementary School, Obion County Schools
Jason Scarbrough, Inman Middle School, Paris Special School District
Blake Skelton, Perry County High School, Perry County Schools
Amy Land, Sequatchie County High School, Sequatchie County Schools
Jessica Roberts, Sevierville Primary School, Sevier County Schools
Travis Franklin, Northview Academy, Sevier County Schools
Jenny Miller, Clarksburg School, South Carroll Special School District
William Gray, Stewart County High School, Stewart County Schools
Alan Willey, Brighton Middle School, Tipton County Schools
Lisa Rose, Atoka Elementary School, Tipton County Schools
Tobi Kilgore, Horace Maynard Middle School, Union County Schools
Katina Simmons, Van Buren County High School, Van Buren County Schools
Brandy Wilcher, Irving College Elementary School, Warren County Schools
Rex Crabtree, Eastside Elementary School, Warren County Schools
Stephanie Gray, Daniel Boone High School, Washington County Schools
Michelle Clements, Sharon School, Weakley County Schools
“The Tennessee Rural Principals Network is a tremendous professional growth and capacity-building mechanism for rural school leaders, positively impacting the students, families, and communities they serve,” said Dr. Jim McIntyre, Dean of the College of Education and Assistant Provost, Belmont University. “For the next three years, the state of Tennessee has increased the investment in this important effort, enabling the TRPN team to serve and support even more rural principals across the state.”
For Tennessee Department of Education media inquiries, contact Edu.MediaInquiries@tn.gov.
