Howard principal finalist for Tennessee Principal of the Year

Principal LeAndrea Ware introduces Geoff Ramsey, left, to students before having him make a morning announcement on the loudspeaker at Howard School on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Ramsey, the 2018 president of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors, was one of 18 Hamilton County Schools' Leadership HCS participants who shadowed principals at schools across the county Wednesday.

LeAndrea Ware, the energetic, enthusiastic executive principal of The Howard School is one of nine finalists for Tennessee Principal of the Year.

State Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced the nine finalists for the 2019-20 Tennessee Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year awards Wednesday. The finalists represent each of the main regions in the state.

Ware, an alumna of The Howard School, represents the Southeast region. Ware was named Hamilton County's Principal of the Year in March and was celebrated at the Opportunity Zone's OZcars event in May.

Howard School Principal LeAndrea Ware talks on stage in the auditorium at The Howard School at the start their awards day program on Thursday, May 23, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

With billionaire tech mogul and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, right, joining her on stage, Howard School Principal LeAndrea Ware enthusiastically announces the winner of the Resilient Teacher Award in the auditorium at The Howard School during their awards day program on Thursday, May 23, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Ware took over as interim principal of the school, one of the district's historically struggling schools and part of the Opportunity Zone, at the end of the 2017-18 school year. She was named executive principal during the 2018-19 school year.

She returned to Howard this year to tackle some of the unique challenges that the school faces with a student body made mostly of students from communities of concentrated poverty and a growing number of English language learners.

"Strong leadership is vital to the success of our students," Schwinn said in a statement. "I've traveled the state and have seen firsthand 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."

Ware and the other principal and supervisor of the year finalists will proceed to an in-person interview made up of education department staff and other education leaders. The winners will be announced at a banquet on Nov. 5.

The annual awards honor school leaders for outstanding service in education and exceptional leadership that drives overall improvements in his or her school, according to a news release.

Two previous Hamilton County principals have been named Tennessee's principal of the year: Robin Copp, former principal of Ooltewah High, in 2018, and Ronald Hughes, principal at Apison Elementary, in 2015.

Ware has previously served as principal at East Lake Academy and in district administration roles at the system's central office. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Tennessee Tech and Howard High School.

The Southeast Region's finalist for Supervisor of the Year is Michael Kahrs, director of student information systems for Cleveland City Schools.

Contact Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.