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KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) has announced the finalists for the State of Tennessee's Principal of the Year distinction. John Adams Elementary School Principal Dr. Kelley Harrell has advanced to the final round of the 2024-25 Tennessee Principal of the Year competition. The finalists represent each Center of Regional Excellence (CORE) regions in the state, with three finalists in each Grand Division: East, Middle, and West.
“The principal of the year process has illuminated what we all know about Dr. Harrell," said Kingsport City Schools Superintendent Dr. Chris Hampton. "She is a student-focused leader who goes above and beyond to ensure all students learn at high levels. On behalf of KCS, it is my honor to congratulate Dr. Harrell and the other finalists for being named as finalists for the Tennessee principal of the year process.”
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.
"I am honored and humbled to be named as a finalist for the 2024-25 Tennessee Principal of the Year,'' said Adams Elementary Principal, Dr. Harrell. "I am so thankful for the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, and school community who put the needs of our students at the forefront of all we do. The success of our school occurs because of a team of dedicated educators who believe in high expectations for all students. It is truly an honor to serve beside the amazing educators in Kingsport City Schools."
Dr. Harrell is in her 21st year as an educator, with five years in Kingsport City Schools. She previously served in Washington County Schools as principal at Ridgeview Elementary School and Boones Creek Elementary School; as an assistant principal at Boones Creek Elementary School and Boones Creek Middle School; and as a District RTI2 coordinator. Harrell was named Principal of the Year in Washington County in 2017-18. In addition, she has also served as a mentor principal in the Governor's Academy for School Leadership and the Tennessee Principal Pipeline Partnership. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from East Tennessee State University (ETSU), a Master's degree in Education Leadership and Administration from Tusculum College, an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University, and a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from ETSU.
Principal of the Year finalists will proceed to an in-person interview that will be held in the coming weeks where each will meet with a panel of interviewers made up of department staff and other education leaders. Winners for each Grand Division and the Tennessee Principal of the Year will be selected from this group and announced at the Tennessee Principal and Supervisor of the Year Celebration held later this fall.
Past Tennessee Principal of the Year recipients for Kingsport City Schools include: Dr. Kyle Loudermilk, Sevier Middle School (2022), Dr. Chris Hampton, Dobyns-Bennett High School (2021), and Dr. Carolyn McPherson, Sevier Middle School (1995). To learn more about the Tennessee Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year Awards, click here.
Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice, and an alternative learning program; with a total enrollment of over 7,400 students.
KCS has been ranked the "#1 Best Place to Teach in Tennessee" by the 2023 NICHE Best Schools Ranking and the City of Kingsport has been voted as the "Nicest Places in America" in the October 2022 Reader's Digest.
For more information visit www.k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, or call the KCS Administrative Support Center at (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (kcsdistrict), Instagram (kcs__district), and check out our YouTube Channel (@kcs__district).