The Washington County School System announced the hiring of seven new administrators for the 2017-2018 school year. New principals include Mark Merriman at Fall Branch, Rachel Price at Grandview, Cheryl McHone at South Central and Erika Patterson at Gray School.
New assistant principals include Jordan Hughes who will go between Boones Creek Elementary and Boones Creek Middle School. Jamie Jones will take on a new role at Lamar as assistant principal, while Robin Street will move from the classroom in Jonesborough to assistant principal at Grandview School.
Erika Patterson
Gray School
Erika Patterson, Principal
Mrs. Erika Patterson is a product of Washington County Schools. She attended Jonesborough Elementary and Middle schools before graduating from David Crockett High School. Mrs. Patterson began her teaching career at Lamar before transferring to Boones Creek Elementary.
She said she was very happy to be selected as the school’s new principal.
“I am excited to work towards continuous improvement for the students, parents and faculty/staff of Gray school,” Patterson said. “Gray is a fabulous place for students to learn and grow and through the collaborative efforts of faculty members, parents and students we will make Gray even better.”
Her experiences working with young students fulfilled her passion for teaching students how to read. She served as Assistant Principal at Gray for the 2016-2017 school year. Mrs. Patterson serves as a district-level Artisan Teacher trainer focusing on the Skillful Observation and Coaching Laboratory, a school-embedded professional development experience that builds instructional leadership capacity for administrators, instructional coaches, curriculum specialists, and/or anyone who is responsible for the development of teachers and teaching.
Rachel Price
Grandview School
Rachel Price, Principal
Ms. Price is committed to improving achievement for all students and developing quality teachers. She comes to Grandview Elementary School after two years of service as Assistant Principal of Jonesborough Middle School. Prior to that, Ms. Price served in Washington County Schools for eight years as a 1st and 4th grade teacher at Jonesborough Elementary School.
Price said she was glad that she will be able to take the next step in her career.
“I am delighted and genuinely honored to serve the students, their families, faculty, and staff as principal of Grandview School for the 2017-2018 school year,” she said. “I am excited to be part of a school that is student-centered and focuses on student growth and achievement and to work with the team of dedicated educators at Grandview.”
“Grandview is a wonderful school, and I am looking forward to working with the students, staff, and community to continue the growth of the school and all of our students.”
She currently serves as a district-level trainer for the McGrath SUCCEED with TRUE-SPEAK Leadership program. Ms. Price also serves as a district-level Artisan Teacher trainer.
Robin Street
Robin Street, Assistant Principal
Ms. Street has consistently produced excellent growth in her students as a classroom teacher. An 11 year teaching veteran, she began her career at Gray School before moving to Jonesborough Middle School where she has taught math, social studies, and science.
“I am excited and truly humbled to be the new assistant principal at Grandview Elementary School,” she said. “I look forward to working with a great group of students, community, staff and a team of educators who are committed to creating lifelong learners.”
Street is a recent graduate of The Artisan Teacher program with Mike Rutherford as well as Washington County Schools’ Aspiring Administrator Academy.
Fall Branch School
Mark Merriman
Mark Merriman, Principal
Mr. Merriman is no stranger to the PreK-8th grade educational world. He considers it an honor to follow his longtime mentor and former high school choir director, Mr. Howard Henson, as Principal at Fall Branch School. He started his career in 2009 where he served as a K-8 music teacher in inner-city Cincinnati. He moved back to Washington County in 2012 where he taught general music, coached middle school soccer and directed the choir at Grandview. He spent the last two years as the Assistant Principal at Lamar.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the faculty, staff, students and community members at Fall Branch School and look forward to a fantastic school year,” he said. “An excellent teacher is the most important factor in the academic success of our students. This overarching principle paired with my belief in a well-rounded education, is what drives my approach to school leadership.”
Cheryl McHone
South Central School Cheryl McHone, Principal
Ms. McHone comes to South Central School with 13 years of educational experience. She has taught elementary and middle school as well as high school math and special education. During her seven years in Washington County Schools, Ms. McHone has participated in the Artisan Teacher training, the Innovative Educator Network, and the Leadership Institute.
“I’m so excited and honored to serve the South Central students, teachers, and community as their new principal,” she said.
McHone has helped lead the Blended Learning Academy as well as served as a Canvas administrator for Washington County Schools.
Jordan Hughes
Boones Creek Elementary/Middle School
Jordan Hughes, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Jordan Littleton Hughes is a product of Washington County Schools. She is a graduate of the Washington County School System and began her teaching career at Boones Creek Middle School. Mrs. Hughes is a graduate of the Aspiring Administrators Academy and the Mike Rutherford Artisan Teacher Training. She is focused on ensuring that learning occurs for every child and being a resource for her teachers. Mrs. Hughes describes herself as charismatic and passionate about learning. She is a life-long learner. Mrs. Hughes serves on the board of the ARC of Washington County and is invested in her community.
“I am incredibly thankful and honored for the opportunity to work with the teams at the Boones Creek Schools, as we make a difference in the lives of children,” Hughes said. “I am excited to start this new chapter in my life and to be a part of something great.”
Lamar School
Jamie Jones
Jamie Jones, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Jones is coming to Lamar from Boones Creek Middle School where she served as Assistant Principal for three years. Prior to that, she taught at Boones Creek Elementary School.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to step forward into my new role at Lamar School,” Jones said. “Exciting things are happening in Washington County Schools and I am delighted that I will be a part of this while working with the faculty and staff to serve students and their families in the Lamar community.”
Mrs. Jones began her career in education with Knox County Schools. While there she served as a Parent Educator and a classroom teacher in both third and fifth grades.
