Mrs. Sayers is a veteran science teacher with 16 years of classroom experience: four years at Jackson High School (Michigan), seven years at West High School, and five years at Hardin Valley Academy.  During that time, she taught basic and CP biology, CP and honors chemistry, PWC, Honors Chemistry 2, and AP Chemistry.  She coached volleyball, boys’ and girls’ cross country, and girls track.  

While at HVA, she served as STEM Academy Dean, lead teacher, and facilitated the chemistry and AP/Honors professional learning communities.  She mentored over 200 Senior Portfolio students, established partnerships with engineers and scientists in the Knoxville/UTK/Oak Ridge corridor, and helped organize the Science Matters lecture series in collaboration with science teachers at Farragut High School.  She directed the HVA STEM Camp, the Two Blues STEM Camp (HVA/FHS), and the Fountain City STEAM Camp for elementary and middle school students.

She served as an AP Reader for four years, a test item writer and reviewer for the ACT/PLAN/Explore tests, a test item reviewer for the state chemistry exam (TN), and was one of several authors for the AP Chemistry Lab Manual during the re-design of the course in 2013. She was named Knox County Schools High School Teacher of the Year and the East TN Section of the American Chemical Society Chemistry Teacher of the Year in 2013. She served as curriculum principal at Farragut High School for two years and as an assistant principal at Central High School for four years.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Spring Arbor University in Michigan and a Masters of Science in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.  She is honored to serve the students and staff of Bearden High School.

Mr. Russ Wise serves as the curriculum principal for Bearden High School.

Mr. Wise began his career at Lenoir City High School where he taught Business Education. He then taught at Halls High School and Central High School before he became an assistant principal at Central.

Mr. Wise has lived in Knoxville his entire life. He graduated from Central High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Law from the University of Tennessee. He then earned his Master of Science in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. Most recently he earned his Educational Specialist degree from the University of Tennessee.

Mr. Greg Adams will be joining us as our new 12th-grade principal.  Greg is a veteran educator with 18 years of experience who has a heart for youth and families. Greg started his career rehabilitating at-risk youth for 15 years as a Youth Specialist at the Jackson County Youth Center. He followed that by serving as an Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at DaVinci High School in Jackson, Michigan, and six years as a special education instructor for the Jackson Intermediate School District. He has worked as Program Director for Western Career Prep High School and as an Assistant Principal at Jackson High School.

Greg has a bachelor’s degree in Learning Disabilities/Special Education and a master’s degree in Emotional Impairment, both from Michigan State University.  He earned his certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals. Greg is an East Tennessee native, a dedicated and highly motivated educator and mentor, and a well-rounded individual with a focus on excellence, innovation, and self-improvement. He is warm, positive, and 100% student-centered.