Staff
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 10:09 am
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NASHVILLE – A Bedford County elementary school principal and a Cannon County supervisor have earned top honors for their work in Tennessee education.
Martha Fisher, principal of Cascade Elementary School in Bedford County, was named Tennessee’s 2013-14 Principal of the Year. She has served as principal at Cascade Elementary for the past six years, and spent nearly three decades working in education.
Marcia Melton, supervisor of K-12 instruction in Cannon County, was named Tennessee’s 2013-14 Supervisor of the Year. Melton spent 22 years as a classroom teacher before spending the last 14 as a supervisor.
Both awards were announced Tuesday during a statewide conference for education leaders.
“In Tennessee, we are doing more to highlight successes in our education system and that includes recognizing strong leaders,” said Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman. “We are grateful for what they have done to prioritize the needs of students and improve outcomes for kids.”
The annual Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year awards recognize administrators who have helped build a better education for Tennessee students through their leadership, programs, and visions. Fisher and Melton were among nine principals and nine supervisors selected as regional finalists after being nominated by their peers for the title.
The winners for each grand division were also recognized Tuesday.
Fisher was named the Tennessee Principal of the Year and Middle Grand Division Winner. Brian Norton, principal of Scotts Hill High School in Henderson County, was named the winner for the West Grand Division. Kelly Kiser, principal of Blythe-Bower Elementary in Cleveland City Schools, was named the winner for the East Grand Division.
Melton was named the Tennessee Supervisor of the Year and Middle Grand Division winner. Debbie Doster, curriculum and instruction supervisor for grades 6-12 in Weakley County, was named the winner for the West Grand Division. Corey Gardenhour, director of curriculum and instruction, special education, and guidance services in Elizabethton City Schools, was named the winner for the East Grand Division.
The Niswonger Foundation, based in Greeneville, has sponsored this year’s awards, providing cash prizes to the winners and finalists.