Dr. Keith Wilson

Dr. Keith Wilson serves as Assistant Superintendent of Academics, with oversight of Learning and Literacy, Academic Supports, College and Career Readiness and District Regions 1 through 4.

Dr. Wilson joined Knox County Schools in 2001 as a science teacher at Northwest Middle School and later taught at Holston Middle School. He began his career in administration in 2009, when he was appointed Assistant Principal at Bearden Middle School. He served as the district’s Teacher Advanced Program (TAP) director for five years before working as the director of professional learning. In 2017, he was appointed director of Career and Technical Education.

Dr. Wilson received a bachelor’s degree in Geography with a concentration in Earth Science Education from East Tennessee State University; a master’s of Education degree and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, both from Carson-Newman University.

Shannon Jackson - Executive Director of College and Career

Ms. Jackson joined Knox County Schools in 1995 as an English and Russian intern at Farragut High School, taught English Language Learners at Hillsboro High School in Metro Nashville Public Schools in 1996 before returning to Knoxville in 1998 to serve as an English teacher at West High School. She was named supervisor of English Language Arts for grades 6-12 in 2012 and later executive director of teaching and learning.

Ms. Jackson received a bachelor’s degree in College Scholars and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, both from the University of Tennessee. Since earning her degrees, she has also earned an Urban Specialist Certificate and a certificate in Administration, also from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Julie Thompson - Executive Director of Academic Supports

Ms. Thompson joined Knox County Schools in 1993 as a teacher at Corryton Elementary School. She began her career in administration in 2002 as an assistant principal at Christenberry Elementary and in 2004 served as interim principal of Sunnyview Primary and principal of Carter Elementary. In 2012, she was named Elementary Supervisor and later Executive Director of Elementary Education.

Ms. Thompson received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Elementary Education, both from the University of Tennessee, as well as an Education Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

Pending - Executive Director of Learning and Literacy

Danny Trent - Director of Region One

Mr. Trent joined Knox County Schools in 1993 as a teacher at Halls Middle School. He began his career in administration in 1998 as assistant principal at Carter Middle School. He has served as executive principal at Carter Middle School, Karns Middle School, Central High School and Farragut Middle School. In 2015, he was appointed supervisor of secondary education and later named executive director of secondary education.

Mr. Trent received a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education 1-8 from the University of Tennessee, as well as a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision and an Educational Specialist degree, both from Lincoln Memorial University.

Nathan Langlois - Director of Region Two

Mr. Langlois joined the district in 2011 as assistant principal at Powell High School. He previously taught in Cobb County, Georgia and served as an administrative assistant and assistant principal in Georgia. He was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy in 2013 and placed at Hardin Valley Academy as an assistant principal. He has served as principal of Powell High School and in 2015 was named principal of Austin-East High School. In 2021, he was appointed director of advancement and diversity.

Mr. Langlois received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Jacksonville State University, and an Educational Specialist degree from the University of Tennessee.

Megan O'Dell - Director of Region Three

Ms. O’Dell joined Knox County Schools in 2004 as a teacher at East Knox County Elementary School. She has also served as a teacher at Sunnyview Primary School, a TAP Master Teacher at Sarah Moore Greene Elementary School and a Curriculum Coach at South Knoxville Elementary School. She began her career in administration in 2012 when she was appointed assistant principal at Brickey-McCloud. She was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy in 2013 and placed at Northshore Elementary School as an assistant principal. In 2014, she was named the principal of Shannondale Elementary School and later appointed principal of Brickey-McCloud Elementary School.

Ms. O’Dell received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Carson-Newman University, a master’s degree in Education from Tusculum College and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Tennessee.

Cindy White - Director of Region Four

Ms. White joined Knox County Schools in 1980 and has taught at Inskip and Belle Morris elementary schools. She also spent 20 years in the classroom at Whittle Springs Middle School. She began her career in administration in 2007 as assistant principal at Karns High School and was later appointed principal at Karns Middle School. In 2013, she was named principal of Vine Middle School, and in 2017, she was appointed the founding principal of Gibbs Middle School. In 2021, she was appointed as an assistant principal at Austin-East Magnet High School.

Ms. White received a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

Jennifer Hemmelgarn - Interim Assistant Superintendent of Business and Talent

Ms. Hemmelgarn joined Knox County Schools in 2016 as supervisor of employee relations. She previously worked eight years as an associate attorney for Leibowitz Law Firm. In 2019, she became director of employee relations.

Ms. Hemmelgarn received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Law from Western Carolina University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee College of Law.

Scott Bolton - Executive Director of Human Resources Operations

Mr. Bolton joined Knox County Schools in 2014 as a secondary education staffing manager. He previously worked as a teacher, administrator and Human Resources Liaison for the Hamblen County Department of Education. He was named KCS director of benefits and employee relations in 2014 and executive director of human resources in 2019.

Mr. Bolton received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Carson-Newman University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Lincoln Memorial University.

Ron McPherson - Chief Financial Officer

Mr. McPherson worked for Knox County government for nine years as an accountant and senior accountant before joining Knox County Schools in 2001 as supervisor of accounting systems and financial control. He became executive director of finance in 2005. In 2015, he was named chief financial officer for Emerald Youth Foundation. He returned to Knox County Schools in 2019 as chief financial officer and assistant superintendent of finance and human resources.

Mr. McPherson received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and was a participant in the Haslam College of Business Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness Program.

Pending - Executive Director of Human Resources Talent Acquisition

Jason Myers

Jason Myers will serve as Assistant Superintendent of Student Success, and will oversee functions including English Language Learning, Health Services, School Culture, Special Education and Region 5.

Mr. Myers joined Knox County Schools in 2008 as a teaching assistant at Fulton High School. He has also served as a special education teacher and lead teacher. He began his career in administration in 2013 as an administrative assistant and later assistant principal at West High School. In 2016, he was appointed principal of Knoxville Adaptive Education Center (K.A.E.C.) and in 2018 was appointed principal of Bearden High School. In 2019, he was named executive director of student supports.

Mr. Myers received a bachelor’s degree in History and a master’s degree in Special Education, both from the University of Tennessee.

Janice Cook - Director of School Culture

Ms. Cook joined Knox County Schools in 1997 as a districtwide special education consultant. She previously taught in both primary and secondary schools in Scotland before moving to East Tennessee, where she held various positions at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and Peninsula Hospital. She began her career in school administration in 2008 when she was appointed principal of Knoxville Adaptive Education Center. In 2016, she was named principal of Paul Kelley Volunteer Academy, and in 2019 was named director of school culture.

Ms. Cook received a bachelor’s degree in Music from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and a G.S. Ed. from Moray House College of Education, both in Scotland, as well as a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

Alicia Jones - Director of Student Supports

Ms. Jones began teaching in 2010 as a Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support teacher. She previously worked as a juvenile probation/parole specialist. In 2015, she began working as a public safety teacher at Hiram High School in Georgia, and in 2016, she was named the Special Education Coordinator and District Administrator for Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support.

Ms. Jones received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, both from Troy University, as well as an education specialist degree in Leadership from Kennesaw State University.

Dr. Karen Loy - Director of Special Education

Dr. Loy joined Knox County Schools as a school psychologist in 1997. She previously worked as the director of education for Bare Facts Academy. In 1998, she became a program consultant for Richard Yoakely School, and in 2000, she was named principal of Ridgedale School and the Karns Annex Alternative Programs. During this time, she oversaw the Middle School Evening Alternative Program. In 2007, she became principal of Northwest Middle School, and in 2017, she was appointed special education supervisor.

Dr. Loy received a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Tennessee Tech University, as well as an education specialist degree in Psychology and a doctorate degree in Education Leadership, both from the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Dexter Murphy  - Director of Region Five

Dr. Murphy joined Knox County Schools in 2009 as a teacher at Pond Gap Elementary School. He was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy in 2013 and appointed as an assistant principal at Vine Middle School. He has served as an assistant principal at Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy, principal of Green Magnet Academy, principal of Maynard Elementary and the Upper School Academic Dean at Emerald Academy. He worked as a senior specialist at the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) before rejoining Knox County Schools as director of ESSER programs.

Dr. Murphy received a bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Tennessee, a master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration from the University of Tennessee, and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky.

Dr. Garfield Adams

Dr. Garfield Adams will serve as Assistant Superintendent of Operations, and will oversee functions including Security, Transportation, and Maintenance.

Dr. Adams joined Knox County Schools in 2001 as a teacher at Central High School and subsequently taught in Oak Ridge Schools. He began his career in administration in 2011 as an assistant principal at South-Doyle High School and later worked as an assistant principal and executive principal at Robertsville Middle School in Oak Ridge. In 2018, he was appointed Exceptional Education Director for Hamilton County Schools, and in 2020 was named executive principal for Oak Ridge High School.

Dr. Adams received a bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a master’s degree in Special Education, both from the University of Tennessee, as well as an Education Specialist degree in Administrative Supervision and a doctorate in Education, both from Lincoln Memorial University.

Freddie Cox - Chief Technology Officer

Mr. Cox joined Knox County Schools in 2008 as a school technology specialist. He became a systems administrator in 2011 and was later named IT infrastructure manager. In 2020, he was appointed chief technology officer.

Mr. Cox received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and is credentialed as a Certified Education Technology Leader.

Ryan Dillingham - Director of Transportation

Mr. Dillingham joined Knox County Schools in 2005 working various roles in the transportation department. In 2009, he became a special education router, and in 2017, he was named operations manager. In 2018, he was appointed director of transportation.

Mr. Dillingham received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Tennessee. 

Brett Foster - Executive Director of Child Nutrition

Ms. Foster joined Knox County Schools in 2012 as a school area supervisor and process management specialist in the school nutrition department. She previously served as administrative assistant to the food / health services and transportation departments for Loudon County Schools. In 2017, she was named KCS executive director of school nutrition.

Ms. Foster received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, a master of business administration degree from Tusculum University and is credentialed as a school nutrition specialist by the School Nutrition Association. 

Brian Hartsell - Director of Student Enrollment

Mr. Hartsell joined Knox County Schools in 1991 as a teacher at Farragut Intermediate School. He has also taught at A.L. Lotts Elementary School and Karns High School. He began his career in administration in 2001 when he was appointed assistant principal at Carter High School and later principal of Austin-East High School. In 2008, he was named the district’s disciplinary hearing authority and supervisor of student enrollment. He was later appointed director of student enrollment.

Mr. Hartsell received an associate’s degree in Recreation / Physical Education from Cleveland State Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Health and Physical Education from Carson Newman College and a master's degree in Administration and Supervision, from Lincoln Memorial University.

Jason Periard - Chief of Security

Mr. Periard served in the U.S. Marine Corps for more than 20 years, culminating in rank as master sergeant. He has worked as a special agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and as an investigations officer for the USMC Criminal Investigation Division. He also served as vice president of the community security initiative at The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. In 2021, he was named chief of school security for Knox County Schools.

Mr. Periard received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, a master of business administration degree from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University.

Doug Shover - Director of Facilities and Construction

After working as an architect in Ohio for nearly seven years, Mr. Shover returned to Knoxville and joined The Lewis Group Architects. He worked for the Lewis Group for more than 20 years, serving as the vice president of primary and secondary education as well as a project manager. In 2021, he was named director of facilities management for Knox County Schools.

Mr. Shover holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Ohio State University.

Chris Towe - Director of Maintenance and Operations

Mr. Towe worked at Towe Iron Works for 23 years, serving as project manager and plant manager, before joining Knox County Schools in 2006 as a plumbing foreman. He worked as supervisor of skilled crafts, before being named in 2017 as director of maintenance and operations.

Mr. Towe received a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Liz Norton

Dr. Liz Norton will serve as Assistant Superintendent of Strategy, and will oversee Communications; Research, Evaluation and Assessment (REA); and ESSER programming.

Dr. Norton joined Knox County Schools in 2004 as a reading interventionist. She has also served as an instructional coach, TAP master teacher and TAP executive master teacher. In 2016, she began working as the director of reading coaching for the Tennessee Department of Education, and in 2018 was named the executive director of academic support for TDOE's Centers of Regional Excellence (CORE) offices. She later served as senior director of academic support for CORE.

Dr. Norton received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, both from Tennessee Technological University, as well as a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Tennessee.

Carly Harrington - Chief of Communications

Ms. Harrington worked for 18 years in print media, including at The Tennessean and Knoxville News Sentinel, and as director of branded content for Fletcher PR before joining Knox County Schools as director of public affairs. In 2021, she was appointed chief public affairs officer.

Ms. Harrington received a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Tennessee.

Renee Kelly - Senior Advisor of ESSER

Ms. Kelly joined KCS in 1999 as a teacher at Bearden Middle School and later worked for Project GRAD. She began her career in administration in 2009 when she was appointed assistant principal at Spring Hill Elementary. She was selected as part of the Leadership Academy in 2010 and placed at Bearden Middle as an assistant principal. She also served as assistant principal and principal at West Valley Middle. She was named dean of scholars at Emerald Academy in 2016 and school director in 2017. In 2019, she was appointed KCS chief of staff.

Ms. Kelly received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Marketing and a master's degree in Elementary Education, both from the University of Tennessee. She also received an education specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

Steve Rudder - Director of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment

Mr. Rudder joined Knox County Schools as a math teacher in 2001. In 2008, Mr. Rudder moved to the district’s technology department as a computer specialist, and in 2015, he became a senior accountability analyst for Research, Evaluation and Assessment (REA). He was named director of REA in 2018.

Mr. Rudder received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in education, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Adrian Rucker

Mr. Rucker worked for six years as an engineer, analyst and program coordinator for General Dynamics and Lockheed - Georgia, and 13 years as an industrial sales representative for Wallace Hardware Co. He began his career in education in 1997 as personnel liaison for Hamblen County Schools before joining Knox County Schools in 2012 as director of human resources operations.

Mr. Rucker received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management from Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in organizational management from Tusculum College.