A common phrase was repeated by all four candidates for director of the Athens City School System: "Do what's best for the students."
On Monday, the Athens School Board wrapped up its interviews of four candidates for the director's position, which will become vacant July 1 following the retirement of current director Robert Greene.
The candidates included two from within the Athens system - Athens Supervisor of Instruction Dr. Melanie Miller and Athens City Middle School Principal Mike Simmons - and two from outside the system - Dr. Tracy McAbee of Polk County Schools and Dr. Sherry E. Shroyer of Bradley County Schools.
The Board will hold a called meeting at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, to discuss the candidates and potentially vote on a new director. The meeting will be held at the administration building on Crestway Drive.
The Board expects to extend an offer to one of the four candidates by May 1, with Greene remaining on the job through June 30.
Dr. Tracy McAbee, Ed.D.
Currently serving as principal of Benton Elementary School in Polk County - a position he has held since 2010 - McAbee previously served as assistant principal of Polk County High School from 2003-04. He was a science teacher and science department chairman at Northwest Whitfield High School in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, from 2004 to 2010, lead teacher at Gladden Middle School and Murray High School in Georgia from 2001-03, and a science teacher at Benton Elementary and Polk County High School from 1996 to 2001.
He has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Tennessee Technological University (2003 to 2011) and University of the Cumberlands (2009 to present), teaching masters of education, education specialist, and doctor of education students in such areas as administration, school finance, instructional leadership, and legal and ethical issues in schools.
"I have extensive leadership training, which is most important because I know how to build a team," McAbee said in his interview, noting that will be key to implementing the changes that will continue to come in education.
"What we consider a seventh-grade test will now be given in the fifth grade - what we gave in fifth grade will be given in third. I've been hired as a readiness coach for the state to help other educators prepare. I want to be on the front end of change, and I believe I can help the system with changes as they come along," he said.
McAbee holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a master of education in administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University, and a doctor of education in educational leadership from Argosy University. He also holds education specialist degrees in educational leadership and reading specialization.
Dr. Melanie Miller, Ph.D.
Miller is currently the supervisor of curriculum and instruction for Athens City Schools. She previously served as Director of Schools for the Sweetwater City School System from July 2010 until taking her current position with Athens City Schools in July 2014. Starting her career with Sweetwater City Schools in 2000, she previously served as a school counselor at Sweetwater Elementary, assistant principal of Sweetwater Junior High, and principal of Brown Intermediate School before being appointed director of schools. She spent 10 years in the classroom as a Spanish teacher at Sequoyah High School in Madisonville before moving into counseling and administration.
"I've served in most every role in education: I've taught everything from remedial to advanced classes and was even a substitute teacher - and I even had to serve as transportation supervisor in a system. I feel I know what I'm asking someone to do. You can have quality directors who don't have that, but I've been there, and I know what people at all levels of the system are dealing with," Miller said, noting she would echo a key element of Greene's style in her day-to-day management of the system if selected as director.
"When I watch what Robert has accomplished, I see someone who makes tough decisions and right decisions because he puts the students first," she said, "and bases decisions on what's best for students."
Miller holds a bachelor of arts in English Education from North Georgia College and University. She holds a master of education in Counseling and Guidance and an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction/Administration and Supervision, both from Lincoln Memorial University, and a doctorate in K-12 Educational Leadership from Walden University.
Dr. Sherry E. Shroyer, Ed.D.
As an administrator, Shroyer served as principal of Taylor Elementary School in Bradley County from 2008 to 2013 and was an elementary school assistant principal in Hamilton County from 2006-08. At the state level, she has experience as a contractor with the Tennessee Department of Education, working as regional consultant for the Reading First from 2003-06, regional consultant for the Reading Excellence Act from 2002-04, and as a Common Core Coach from 2012-14. From 1990 to 2002, Shroyer served as a classroom teacher with experience in kindergarten and first, third, and fifth grades in Bradley County and Whitfield County, Georgia. She has served as an educational consultant for Bradley County Schools and has served as an instructional coach at Bradley Central High School since 2013.
Having a variety of experience at the local and state level Shroyer said would be beneficial in the director's position if selected.
"We have to model what we expect and monitor it to make sure it is happening," she said of her management style. "I enjoy working with people and am highly organized."
Shroyer holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Lee College (now Lee University), a master of education in administration and supervision from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from East Tennessee State University.
Mike Simmons
Since 2002, Simmons has served as principal of Athens Junior High School and its successor, Athens City Middle School. He was principal of City Park Elementary School from 1994 to 1999 before taking a three-year position as an educational consultant. He served as assistant principal of Athens Junior High School from 1991-94 before taking the principal's position at City Park. From 1983-91, he served as a classroom teacher with experience in fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades in schools in Knoxville and Murfreesboro.
"With twenty-one years as an administrator in this system, I believe I have the ability to listen, communicate and show compassion," Simmons said of his strengths. "I'm very strong in personnel - when I interview, I know what I'm looking for. I have the ability to make tough decisions. Sometimes you have to make decisions for the welfare of the students, and that means you may have to make tough calls to get the right people in the right positions."
Like Miller, Simmons also noted Greene as an example of a model he would like to emulate if selected as director.
"He is transparent: He tells you what he wants, casts a vision and motivates you to go after that vision," Simmons said. "Anything I talk about, if it's best for kids, he's right there with you."
Simmons holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education with a mathematics concentration and a master's in educational administration and supervision, both from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.