News
TOSS is extremely proud to congratulate our lobbyist, Catie Lane Bailey, on her new position with Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis. Catie has been such a valuable addition to the TOSS team, and we are excited for her to take this new step.
Read more about Catie and her new role here: http://www.nashvillepost.com/business/legal/article/20841510/lobbyist-moves-from-miller-to-waller
Our Superintendent Spotlight for October is Sherry Darnell who has served as the superintendent in Lake County for nearly three years.
Ms. Darnell was excited to talk about many new programs in her district, including a new ACT prep program, a new attendance initiative, a balanced literacy block, and embedded professional development in partnership with the Northwest Core office. She stated, "there are so many exciting opportunities for growth this year, and I can't say enough good things about my leadership team!"
When we asked Ms. Darnell what the best part of her job is, she said, "knowing that all employees and I are working toward the same goal each day - to truly educate, guide, and influence the students in Lake County to help become fine citizens who will be on the leadership of our school system. I am very humbled by the love of the students."
TOSS Legal Counsel Charles (Chuck) Cagle has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America for 2017. The recipients are selected by their peers and recognized in the Best Lawyers publication. Chuck is a shareholder and chair of the Education Law and Government Relations Practice Group for Lewis Thomason's Nashville office.
We are extremely proud and honored to work with Chuck and have him represent our organization.
TOSS is proud to announce that our September Superintendent Spotlight is Dr. Mark Griffith. He has served as the Director of Schools in Marion County for ten years.
Dr. Griffith was excited to tell his peers about his district's partnership with Chattanooga State TCAT that helps students receive a Certified Production Technician certificate upon high school graduation. South Pittsburg High School was the first high school in Tennessee to graduate all students 100% College and Career Ready. He also told us about their new Early College option for students in grades 9-12. They also have rising ACT scores in their district!
When asked what his favorite part of his job is, Dr. Griffith answered, "I love being part of a collaborative effort with my great staff to help the students of Marion County. In such a rural setting, we see the good and the bad situations, but if our efforts can help make those bad situations better, then everything we do here is worth it."
Dr. Griffith also shared his favorite memory from his superintendency, in which he was able hold a special graduation ceremony in a children's hospital for a student with cancer. He got to help fulfill her one wish just twenty days before her passing. He stated about his experience, "losing a child at sixteen to cancer myself who wanted more than anything to graduate with her peers, it was very enjoyable to see that young lady receive her diploma and the smile on her face."
We are so honored to work with leaders like Dr. Griffith.
(Right to Left): Governor Bill Haslam, Dr. David Stephens, Wayne Miller (TOSS Executive Director)
The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS) met in Gatlinburg, TN on September 11th for their annual Awards and Recognition Dinner. The 2017 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year was announced at the banquet on Sunday night. This year TOSS was honored to present the award to Dr. David Stephens of Bartlett City Schools, representing the Southwest/Memphis region.
Dr. Stephens was chosen for this honor out of a distinguished group of eight Regional Superintendents of the Year, which included Ms. Rebecca Isaacs (Rogersville City), First Tennessee; Dr. Jason Vance (Loudon County), East; Mr. Bobby Cox (Warren County), Upper Cumberland; Dr. Dan Lawson (Tullahoma City), South Central; Mr. Don Roberts (Meigs County), Southeast; Mr. Mike Davis (Robertson County), Mid-Cumberland; and Mr. Randy Frazier (Weakley County), Northwest.
Dr. Stephens earned his Bachelor’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of Memphis and his Master’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. He has served as the Director of Schools in Bartlett since the district’s creation in 2014. Dr. Stephens was able to successfully start a school district and freshmen academy in just six short months after assuming his role. The new President-Elect of TOSS, John Aitken, said of his peer and friend, “David has managed to do a lot of great things for his district and do them really well, so I cannot think of anyone who is more deserving than him.”
TOSS Executive Director Wayne Miller stated, “We are very proud of David for winning the State Superintendent of the Year Award. The work that he has done has been exemplary, especially given the fact that he created the district from scratch just a short time ago. David and his school and district leaders are always very active in professional development. Being recognized for his good work comes as no surprise.”
Dr. Stephens will submit his application for the National Superintendent of the Year sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), and he will represent the state of Tennessee at the AASA National Conference on Education.
