Clinton Middle leader named Tennessee Principal of the Year finalist

The Oak Ridger
·2 min read

Clinton Middle School Principal April Meyers is one of nine candidates for Tennessee Principal of the Year.

April Meyers
April Meyers

The announcement was made last week by the Tennessee Department of Education.

The finalist list is composed of three candidates each from the East, Middle and West divisions of Tennessee. In addition to the Anderson County Schools principal, the finalists are:

  • Angel Hardaway, North City School, Athens City Schools

  • Michelle Green, Lincoln Heights Elementary, Hamblen County Schools

  • Don Bartch, Overall Creek Elementary, Murfreesboro City Schools

  • Layne Draper-Talbott, East Side Elementary, Bedford County Schools

  • Tina Francis-Hodges, Jere Whitson Elementary, Putnam County Schools

  • Renee Meeks, Sea Isle Elementary, Memphis-Shelby County Schools

  • Christopher Morris, Crestview Middle School, Tipton County Schools

  • Laura Pitts, South Fulton Middle/High School, Obion County Schools

The winner will be announced later this fall.

"The Tennessee Principal of the Year award is awarded 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 of experience as a principal and a minimum of five years of experience in Tennessee public schools. In addition, all nominees must have a proven track record of exceptional gains in student learning," states information on the state Education Department website.

“I want to congratulate April Meyers on being selected as a Tennessee Principal of the Year finalist,” state Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, said in a news release. “Her leadership and commitment to supporting students and teachers at Clinton Middle School highlight the incredible impact educators have across our state. We are blessed to have so many outstanding individuals working in Anderson County Schools, and I am proud to see their contributions recognized.”

In order to qualify for the award, candidates must have a minimum of three years of experience as a principal and a minimum of five years of experience in Tennessee public schools. Additionally, all nominees must have a proven track record of exceptional gains in student learning.

In-person interviews with each of the finalists will be held in the coming weeks where they will meet with a panel of interviewers that include Education Department staff and other education leaders. Winners from each grand division, along with Tennessee Principal of the Year, will be announced in the fall, according to Ragan.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Clinton Middle leader named Tennessee Principal of the Year finalist