There are 25 new principals at Knox County Schools. Get to know them!
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the new principal announcement for Beaumont Magnet Academy, which wasn't available at the time of original publication.
With the new school year just days away, excitement is building. Knox County Schools students go back to class on Aug. 8.
Knox County Schools has 23 principals assigned to different schools this year, and almost all of them have previously worked with the district.
Meet the new leaders who are ready to welcome back students.
Bearden Elementary School
Porscha Harris is Bearden Elementary’s new principal. She joined Knox County Schools in 2013 as a teacher at West Haven Elementary. Before that, she worked as a teacher in Hamilton County Schools. In 2015, she joined Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy and became a lead teacher in 2017.
She began her career in administration in 2020 as an assistant principal at Gibbs Elementary.
Harris has a bachelor's degree in business marketing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a master's degree in teacher as instructional leader from South College, and an educational specialist degree in instructional leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.
School enrollment: 342
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 23%
Hispanic: 9%
White: 64%
School district and representative: Katherine Bike, District 4
Beaumont Magnet Academy
Cindy Sanford is the new principal of Beaumont Magnet Academy. Sanford joined Knox County Schools as a teacher at Lonsdale Elementary school in 2006.
In 2012, she began working as a districtwide numeracy coach while also serving as a Common Core coach for the Tennessee Department of Education. In 2015, she was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy and placed at Pleasant Ridge Elementary school and a year later, she became assistant principal of West Haven Elementary School. In 2017, Sanford became the assistant principal of Dogwood Elementary School.
Sanford has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from South College and a master's degree in instructional leadership from the University of Tennessee.
Student enrollment: 562
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 28%
Hispanic: 18%
White: 53%
School district and representative: John Butler, District 1
Belle Morris Elementary School
David Guyer is the new principal of Belle Morris Elementary. He joined Knox County Schools in 2022 as assistant principal of Hardin Valley Academy. He previously worked 14 years as a teacher and administrator at various schools in California.
Guyer has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Milligan College, and a master's degree in education from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Student enrollment: 418
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 34%
Hispanic: 31%
White: 35%
School district and representative: Jennifer Owen, District 2
Bonny Kate Elementary School
Rocky Riley is Bonny Kate Elementary School’s new principal.
Riley has been with the district for more than two decades, starting in 2001. He has worked as a teacher at South-Doyle High and West High schools. In 2007, he became a career and technical education curriculum supervisor for Knox County Schools.
Riley pivoted to administration in 2016 when he was named assistant principal of West High School and has also been an assistant principal at Career Magnet Academy and at South-Doyle Middle School, where he currently works.
He has a bachelor's degree in human resource development with a concentration in technology education from the University of Tennessee, and a master's degree in education from Lincoln Memorial University.
Student enrollment: 342
Student demographics:
Black or African American: Less than 5%
Hispanic: Less than 5%
White: 90%
School district and representative: Kristi Kristy, District 9
Carter Elementary School
Emily Jellicorse joined the district in 2008 as a teacher at Carter Elementary School where she will now be serving as the school principal. She has previously worked as a teacher at Jefferson County Schools and in Arkansas and has also taught at Holston Middle, where she was a TAP mentor and master teacher.
She served as an instructional coach at Gresham Middle School until 2017 when she began her career in administration as an assistant principal there.
In 2019, she was named the principal of Chilhowee Intermediate, where she currently serves.Jellicorse has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Carson-Newman College, a master's degree in English education from the University of Tennessee and an education specialist degree in educational administration from Lincoln Memorial University.
Student enrollment: 515
Student demographics:
Black or African American: Less than 5%
Hispanic: 9%
White: 84%
School district and representative: Mike McMillan, District 8
Cedar Bluff Middle School
Desiree Jones is the new appointed principal of Cedar Bluff Middle School. She joined the district in 1996 and worked 15 years as a high school teacher.
She served as English department chair at Hardin Valley Academy 2008-2011, and as a TAP master teacher at Austin-East High School. In 2012, she was selected to be a part of the Leadership Academy and placed at Carter High School as an assistant principal. She also has served as interim principal of Vine Middle School and as an assistant principal at Fulton High School. Since 2017, Jones has been the principal of Vine Middle School.
She has a bachelor's degree in English, a master's degree in curriculum and instruction and an educational specialist degree in educational administration, all from the University of Tennessee.
Student enrollment: 1,061
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 16%
Hispanic: 18%
White: 61%
School district and representative: Daniel Watson, District 3
Cedar Bluff Preschool
April Partin is the new principal at Cedar Bluff Preschool.
Partin has been with the district since 2001 when she started as a teacher at A.L. Lotts Elementary School, and served as a lead teacher before becoming the assistant principal in 2012.
She has served as an assistant principal at Green Magnet Academy. In 2017, she was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy and placed at Karns Elementary School as an assistant principal. In 2018, she became the principal of Shannondale Elementary, and in 2019, she became principal of Lonsdale Elementary, where she currently works.
Partin has a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in elementary education, both from the University of Tennessee. She also holds an education specialist degree in educational administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University and an education specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Tennessee.
Central High School
Danielle Rutig is the new principal of Central High School. She joined the district in 2019 and has been working as an assistant principal at Central High School since then.
She started her teaching career in Florida in 2005, and then spent eight years as a teacher for Anderson County Schools. She also worked in several assistant principal roles in Anderson County.
Rutig has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Florida State University, a master's degree in education administration and policy and an education specialist degree in education administration and policy, both from the University of Tennessee. She also has a doctorate in educational leadership from East Tennessee State University.
Student enrollment: 1,283
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 26%
Hispanic: 16%
White: 56%
School district and representative: Jennifer Owen, District 2
Chilhowee Intermediate School
Chris Daniels, who joined the district as a teacher at Carter Middle School in 2000, is the new principal of Chilhowee Intermediate.
Daniels worked at Carter Middle School for 11 years and has been an assistant administrator at Northwest Middle, Beaumont Magnet Academy and West Hills Elementary. In 2021, he was named an assistant principal at Karns Elementary School.
He has a bachelor's degree in social science and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, both from the University of Tennessee, and an educational specialist degree in educational administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.
Student enrollment: 194
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 25%
Hispanic: 8%
White: 64%
School district and representative: John Butler, District 1
Christenberry Elementary School
Tonya Cash is the new principal of Christenberry Elementary School.
She joined Knox County Schools in 2002 as a teacher at Christenberry, where she worked for 11 years. Cash has previously held various supervisor positions at Child and Family Tennessee.
In 2013, she began her career in administration as an assistant principal at the same school and has been serving in the role since.
Cash has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Carson-Newman College, a master's degree in education administration from Grand Canyon University, and an education specialist degree in instructional leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.
Student enrollment: 422
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 32%
Hispanic: 27%
White: 40%
School district and representative: Jennifer Owen, District 2
Copper Ridge Elementary School
Shawn Smith is Copper Ridge Elementary School’s new principal.
Smith joined the district in 1985 as a teacher at Ridgedale Elementary School, where she worked for 15 years. In 2000, she joined Copper Ridge Elementary as a teacher and became a lead teacher in 2012. Since 2017, she has been an assistant principal there.
She has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Louisiana College and a master's degree in educational leadership, administration and supervision from the University of Tennessee.
Student enrollment: 429
Student demographics:
Black or African American: Less than 5%
Hispanic: Less than 5%
White: 90%
School district and representative: Steve Triplett, District 7
Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy
John "J.D." Faulconer is the new principal of Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy. He joined Knox County Schools in 2013 as the founding principal of Career Magnet Academy. Before coming to the district, Faulconer worked five years as a teacher and 12 years in administration for Anderson County Schools and the Corbin Independent School System.
He currently works as the career and technical education specialist of curriculum and instruction for KCS.
Faulconer has a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Kentucky, a master's degree in educational leadership from Tennessee Technological University and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from East Tennessee State University.
Student enrollment: 77
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 21%
Hispanic: 13%
White: 66%
School district and representative: John Butler, District 1
Farragut Middle School
Greg Adams, who joined the district in 2021 as an assistant principal at Bearden High School, is the new principal of Farragut Middle School.
He previously worked 18 years in Michigan, where he started his career rehabilitating at-risk youth as a youth specialist.
Adams has a bachelor's degree in learning disabilities/special education and a master's degree in emotional impairment, both from Michigan State University, and a certificate in educational leadership and administration from the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.
Student enrollment: 1,409
Student demographics:
Black or African American: Less than 5%
Hispanic: 5%
White: 79%
School district and representative: Susan Horn, District 5
Fort Sanders Educational Development Center
Jessica Schaefer-Ruiz is the new principal of Fort Sanders Educational Development Center.
Schaefer-Ruiz joined Knox County Schools in 2003 as an intern at Beaumont Magnet Academy. She worked as a teacher at Green Magnet Academy and Beaumont Magnet for six years before becoming an instructional coach at Beaumont. In 2012, she was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy and was placed at Sterchi Elementary School as an assistant principal. She also has worked as an assistant principal at Green Magnet Academy and Dogwood Elementary School.Schaefer-Ruiz has a bachelor's degree in human ecology, a master's degree in early childhood education and two educational specialist degrees in leadership and administration, all from the University of Tennessee.
Fountain City Elementary School
Keith Cottrell is the new principal of Fountain City Elementary School. Cottrell joined Knox County Schools in 1998 as a teacher at Cedar Bluff Intermediate School.
He also has served as a teacher at A. L. Lotts Elementary, Blue Grass Elementary and Sterchi Elementary schools. In 2011, he was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy and placed at Cedar Bluff Elementary School as an assistant principal. He is currently the associate director of the Grow Your Own Center at the University of Tennessee.
Cottrell holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee, a master's degree in teaching from Carson Newman University and an education specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University. He also has a doctorate degree in educational leadership and policy from the University of Tennessee.
Student enrollment: 379
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 14%
Hispanic: 16%
White: 69%
School district and representative: Jennifer Owen, District 2
Hardin Valley Academy
Hardin Valley High School's new principal is Mitchell Cox, who joined the district in 2017 as principal of Halls Elementary School. In 2019, Cox was named the principal of Cedar Bluff Elementary School. He currently works as the Knox County Schools supervisor of employee relations and will begin his new role in July.
Cox has a bachelor's degree in history from East Tennessee State University, a master's degree in curriculum, instruction and assessment from Walden University and an educational leadership license from Union College.
More: Hardin Valley Academy principal suspended with pay
Student enrollment: 2,096
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 10%
Hispanic: 12%
White: 72%
School district and representative: Betsy Henderson, District 6
Karns Preschool
Jason Harris, the new principal of Karns Preschool, joined Knox County Schools in 2002 as a teacher at Belle Morris Elementary School.
He previously worked as a teacher in Asheville, North Carolina. He also has taught at Vine Middle School and Maynard Elementary. Harris has been an administrative assistant at Austin-East Magnet High School and at A.L. Lotts Elementary School where he was named assistant principal in 2015. He is currently the assistant principal of Sterchi Elementary.
Harris has a bachelor's degree in preteaching multicultural studies, and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, both from the University of Tennessee. He has an education specialist degree in educational administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University and an education specialist degree in administration and supervision from the University of Tennessee.
Lonsdale Elementary School
William Smith is the new principal of Lonsdale Elementary School. Smith joined Knox County Schools in 2010 and worked seven years as an elementary school teacher at Inskip and Lonsdale Elementary schools.
He was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy in 2017 and placed at Hardin Valley Elementary School as an assistant principal. In 2018, he was named an assistant principal at Green Magnet Academy, where he currently works.
Smith has a bachelor's degree in human ecology, a master's degree in child and family studies and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership, all from the University of Tennessee.
Student enrollment: 313
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 30%
Hispanic: 63%
White: 6%
School district and representative: John Butler, District 1
Mount Olive Elementary School
Robert Angel is the new principal of Mount Olive Elementary School.
Angel joined Knox County Schools in 2019 as an assistant principal of Fountain City Elementary. Before coming to the district, he worked for 16 years as a teacher and administrator at several schools in Campbell County. Angel has also worked as a project manager for the U.S. Department of Energy-ORAU.
He is currently working as an assistant principal at Belle Morris and Corryton elementary schools.
He has a bachelor's degree in history/middle grades education from the University of Pikeville, a master's degree in elementary education from the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky, an educational specialist degree in leadership and administration from Lincoln Memorial University and a master's degree in theology from Regent University.
Student enrollment: 199
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 9%
Hispanic: Less than 5%
White: 83%
School district and representative: Kristi Kristy, District 9
Mill Creek Elementary School
The district's newest school, Mill Creek Elementary, will be under the leadership of Sunny Scheafnocker.
She joined Knox County Schools in 2008 as a teacher at Brickey-McCloud Elementary and has since taught at Karns Elementary, West Haven Elementary, A.L. Lotts Elementary and Fountain City Elementary. In 2008, she was appointed the assistant principal of Hardin Valley Elementary and switched to Amherst Elementary's assistant principal in 2013. Two years later, she became the principal of Hardin Valley Elementary, where she has been working ever since.
Scheafnocker has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education, both from the University of Tennessee, as well as an educational specialist degree in educational administration and supervision and a doctorate degree in Executive Leadership, both from Lincoln Memorial University.
About the new school: Owing to construction delays, the new school will open only for kindergarten, first grade and second grade students next month. The school will fully open to all grades in the 2024-2025 school year.
More: New Knox County elementary school will only open for some students this fall
New Hopewell Elementary School
Sarah Mercer is the new principal of New Hopewell Elementary School. She joined Knox County Schools in 2008 as a teacher at Beaumont Magnet Academy. In 2016, she became a Technology, Pedagogy and Content Knowledge coach at East Knox County Elementary School.
In 2020, she became an assistant principal of A.L. Lotts Elementary School and has been in the role since.
Mercer has a bachelor's degree in education from Freed-Hardeman University, a master's degree in instruction and curriculum from the University of Phoenix and an educational specialist degree in instructional leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.
Student enrollment: 225
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 12%
Hispanic: Less than 5%
White: 82%
School district and representative: Kristi Kristy, District 9
Northshore Elementary School
Kimberly Harris is the new principal of Northshore Elemenaty School. She joined Knox County Schools in 2012 and worked as a teacher at A.L. Lotts and Hardin Valley Elementary. Previously, she worked as a teacher with Broward County Schools in Florida. In 2019, she became the assistant principal of Northshore Elementary, and in 2022, she was appointed principal of Bonny Kate Elementary school.
Harris has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Florida Atlantic University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Carson Newman University.
Student enrollment: 1,078
Student demographics:
Black or African American: Less than 5%
Hispanic: Less than 5%
White: 86%
School district and representative: Katherine Bike, District 4
Powell Middle School
Denise Watts is the new principal of Powell Middle School.
Watts joined Knox County Schools in 2005 and worked as a high school teacher for 10 years before becoming a TPaCK Coach. In 2016, she was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy and placed at Austin-East Magnet High School as an assistant principal, where she continued to work until 2021. She is currently an assistant principal at Bearden High School.
Watts has a bachelor's degree in history, a master's degree in theory and practice in teacher education, and an educational specialist degree in instructional leadership, all from the University of Tennessee.
Student enrollment: 869
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 8%
Hispanic: 10%
White: 81%
School district and representative: Steve Triplett, District 7
Vine Middle School
Tye Sutton is the new principal of Vine Middle School.
Sutton joined Knox County Schools in 2014 as an assistant principal at Fulton High School. He has previously worked as a teacher in Alabama and Ohio including working 13 years as an administrator in Ohio. He has also been the principal at South-Doyle Middle School and an assistant principal at Northwest Middle School.
Since 2017, he has been an assistant principal at Karns High School.
Sutton has a bachelor's degree in music education from Alabama State University and a master's degree in educational leadership from Wright State University.
Student enrollment: 447
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 70%
Hispanic: 12%
White: 17%
School district and representative: John Butler, District 1
West Valley Middle School
Elizabeth Ingram is the new principal at West Valley Middle School.
Ingram joined Knox County Schools in 2008 as assistant principal of Hardin Valley Academy. Before joining Knox County Schools, she worked as a math teacher in Florida and Kentucky for more than eight years. She has also been an assistant principal at West Valley Middle School and at Farragut High School. In 2018, she was named principal of Powell Middle School, where she currently works.
Ingram has an associate's degree in education from Southeast Community College and a bachelor's degree in education from Union College, as well as a master's degree in educational leadership and supervision and a doctorate in organizational management, both from Nova Southeastern University.
Student enrollment: 1,131
Student demographics:
Black or African American: 9%
Hispanic: 7%
White: 78%
School district and representative: Susan Horn, District 5
Areena Arora, data and investigative reporter for Knox News, can be reached by email at areena.arora@knoxnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AreenaArora.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County School announces new principals for 2023-24
