In the first of this year's principal shuffling, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Jim Scales today announced new leaders at Big Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Nolan and Hardy elementary schools next year.
Neelie Parker, current principal at East Lake Elementary, will become principal at Big Ridge beginning July 1. She replaces Susan Hixson, who is retiring this year.
Ruth White, current principal of Battle Academy, will take over the top job at Lookout Mountain Elementary, replacing Paula Gosset, who is also retiring.
Shane Harwood, who is currently principal of Snow Hill Elementary, will become principal of Nolan Elementary. He replaces Ken Barker, who is retiring in June.
Anetta Ferguson, who is currently interim principal at Hardy Elementary, will assume the job full time at Hardy beginning July 1.
"These are the top candidates in terms of their experience and talent in leading our schools," Dr. Scales said in a news release. "I know they will work hard with their communities, staff and parents to take their schools to the next level and improve student achievement."
Ms. Parker began her teaching career at East Brainerd Elementary in 1997. She was promoted to assistant principal at Calvin Donaldson Elementary in 2002, and then moved to East Lake Elementary as principal in 2005.
Ms. Parker holds a bachelor of arts in multidisciplinary school learning from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a masters of educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Ms. White began her career in education in 1979 as a teacher at Grace St. Luke's Episcopal School. She moved onto the Caulkins School in 1993 before coming to Lookout Mountain Elementary in 1994. She was promoted to assistant principal of Battle Academy in 2005 and assumed the principalship in 2007.
Ms. White has a bachelor of arts in education from the University of Mississippi and a masters in school leadership from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Mr. Harwood began his career in Hamilton County in 1998 at Hardy Elementary. He moved to North Hamilton County Elementary in 1999 before being promoted to assistant principal at Snow Hill Elementary in 2006. He assumed the principalship of Snow Hill Elementary in 2008.
Mr. Harwood holds a bachelor of science degree in exercise science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a master of arts degree in school administration and sSupervision from Tennessee Technological University. He is currently working on his doctorate at Walden University.
Ms. Ferguson began her career in education in 1980 as a reading instructor at Lee University. She worked in higher education until coming to Chattanooga City Schools in 1990 as an elementary teacher. From 1990 to 1997, Ms. Ferguson worked at Lakeside Elementary, Barger Elementary, Howard Elementary, Calvin Donaldson Elementary and Harrison Elementary schools. In 2005 she was promoted to assistant principal at Hardy Elementary. She became interim principal in October 2009.