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Tennessee Education Commissioner Dr. Penny Schwinn announced the nine finalists for the 2019-20 Tennessee Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year awards today. The finalists represent each Center of Regional Excellence (CORE) region in the state, with three finalists in each Grand Division (West, Middle and East).
"Strong leadership is vital to the success of our students," Schwinn said. "I've traveled the state and have seen first-hand how leaders positively impact our students on a daily basis. These are the people who go above and beyond for our kids and educators. It is my pleasure to recognize and celebrate these dedicated leaders who support education across the state."
Each year an outstanding public school supervisor earns distinction as the Tennessee Supervisor of the Year. To qualify, candidates must demonstrate a record of implementing innovative programs and managing and motivating students and faculties. Additionally, the nominees must have a minimum of three years' experience as an administrator and a minimum of five years' experience in Tennessee public schools.
The Supervisor of the Year 2018-2019 for the Upper Cumberland Region of Tennessee is Mrs. Bonnie Patterson. Mrs. Patterson has served Cannon County for the past thirty-eight years. During her tenure with the school system, she has served the children of Cannon County as a teacher at Woodland School, Woodbury Grammar School, Cannon County High School, Cannon County High School Assistant Principal, and was Principal at Woodbury Grammar School before assuming her current position as the District's Attendance Supervisor and Coordinated School Health Supervisor. Mrs. Patterson is married to Mr. Eddie Patterson and they reside in Centertown, TN. They have three grown children - Megan, Clint, and Kaitlin and five grandchildren.
Director of Cannon County Schools Mr. William F. Curtis stated, "Mrs. Bonnie Patterson is one of the most giving and caring individuals that I have known in education. As Attendance Supervisor she deals with students, parents, other agencies, and the juvenile court system." Juvenile Court Judge Susan Melton recently stated, "Mrs. Patterson is a 'jewel' and aids the court in working with families through difficult circumstances." Director Curtis further stated, "I am dependent on Mrs. Patterson on multiple issues because of her tremendous expertise from safety issues to family issues regarding students. She was instrumental in the recent establishment of a Pre-Truancy Hearing where parents/guardians meet with Judge Melton before having to go to actual Juvenile Court regarding truancy. Cannon County Schools are extremely fortunate to have a person such as Mrs. Patterson and her skills in our School System."
The Nine Regional Supervisor 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 and Supervisor of the Year will be selected from this group and announced at a banquet on Nov. 5, during the department's LEAD Conference in Nashville.
For more information about the Principal or Supervisor of the Year program, contact David Donaldson, assistant commissioner of human capital, at David.Donaldson@tn.gov. For media inquiries, please contact Jennifer Johnson, director of communications, at 615-532-6260 or Jennifer.Johnson@tn.gov. For local media inquiries, please contact Mr. William F. Curtis, Director of Cannon County Schools at 615-563-5752 Extension 235 or at williamf.curtis@ccstn.net for local Cannon County Schools information.
