SUPERINTENDENT SPOTLIGHT: Sherry Darnell (Lake County)

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."

Charles (Chuck) Cagle Receives Best Lawyer Award

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.   

SUPERINTENDENT SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Mark Griffith (Marion County)

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.  

Dr. David Stephens Named 2017 TN Superintendent of the Year

(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.  

SUPERINTENDENT SPOTLIGHT: Barbara Parker (Cannon County)

Our Superintendent Spotlight for August is Barbara Parker from Cannon County Schools.  She has dedicated many years to her district, serving as Director of Schools from 1996-2004 and 2009-present.    

We asked Ms. Parker to tell us about some exciting things happening in her district.  She was proud to share about the instructional coach program that Cannon County Schools has launched this year.  They will also be partnering with the State's coaching network.  They are taking full advantage of the IPI teacher partnership program, and are seeing great results!  Cannon County was one of the 12 original Read to Be Ready grant recipients.  They held a 4-week summer reading camp for 27 students, and were able to incorporate the summer feed program in with it.  Ms. Parker reported, "we have truly improved our SIP review process and will be showcasing that initiative at CORE office meetings." 

When asked what her favorite part of her job was, Ms. Parker said: 

"Working for the betterment of education in Cannon Co. and the State is what motivates me to continue in my job.  Teaching was my first and only career choice.  Being able to influence a child's future is so rewarding, and becoming a director allowed me to have a larger influence on all children in my community."  

Fun Facts about Ms. Parker:

• She is an avid reader.
• She has taught Sunday School and been a church pianist for 40 years!

Thank you, Ms. Parker, for your dedication to Cannon County Schools and public education.