Administrative Appointments

Christy Dowell Appointed Director of Region Five

Christy Dowell has been appointed director of Region Five for Knox County Schools effective July 2026.

Ms. Dowell joined Knox County Schools in 2000 as a teacher at Inskip Elementary School. She began her career in administration in 2003 when she was named an administrative assistant at Inskip Elementary before becoming principal at Ritta Elementary School in 2006. In 2013, she was named principal of Cedar Bluff Elementary School, and in 2015, she was appointed supervisor of elementary education. She is currently supervisor of Region Two, a position she has held since 2022.

Ms. Dowell holds a bachelor's degree in Multidisciplinary Studies K-8 and a master's degree in Instructional Leadership, both from Tennessee Technological University.

Emily Jellicorse Appointed Principal of Amherst Elementary School

Emily Jellicorse has been appointed principal of Amherst Elementary School effective July 2026.

Ms. Jellicorse joined Knox County Schools in 2008 as a teacher at Carter Elementary School. She previously worked as a teacher at Jefferson County Schools and in Arkansas. She also taught at Holston Middle, where she was a TAP mentor and master teacher. She served as an instructional coach at Gresham Middle School until 2017 when she began her career in administration as an assistant principal at Gresham. She became an assistant principal at Gibbs Elementary School in 2017 and has served as principal of Chilhowee Intermediate School, principal of Carter Elementary School, and assistant principal of New Hopewell Elementary School. She is currently an assistant principal at Copper Ridge Elementary School.

Ms. Jellicorse holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Carson-Newman College, a master’s degree in English Education from the University of Tennessee, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration from Lincoln Memorial University.

Dr. Shelly Maddux Appointed Chief of Schools

Dr. Shelly Maddux has been appointed Chief of Schools for Knox County Schools effective July 2026.

Dr. Maddux joined Knox County Schools in 2006 as a teacher at Brickey-McCloud Elementary School. She began her career in administration in 2011 when she was appointed assistant principal at Carter Elementary School. She was selected to be part of the University of Tennessee’s Leadership Academy in 2013 and placed at Dogwood Elementary School as an assistant principal. In 2014, she was named principal of Pond Gap Elementary and later appointed principal of Amherst Elementary. She was named supervisor of Region One in 2022, and in 2024 she was named director of Region One, a position she currently holds.

Dr. Maddux holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Elementary Education, both from the University of Tennessee, an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University, and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands.

Dr. Dexter Murphy Appointed Director of Region One

Dr. Dexter Murphy has been appointed director of Region One for Knox County Schools.

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 placed at Vine Middle School as an assistant principal. He has served as an assistant principal at Sarah Moore Greene 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. He is currently director of Region Five, a position he has held since 2022.

Dr. Murphy holds 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.

Trina Spista Appointed Supervisor of Region Two

Trina Spista has been appointed supervisor of Region Two effective July 2026.

Dr. Spista joined Knox County Schools in 2016 as assistant principal at Pond Gap Elementary School. She previously served as a special education teacher, STEM interventionist, and an elementary school assistant principal in Colorado Springs, Co. In 2019, she was named principal of Pond Gap Elementary. She is currently principal of Amherst Elementary School, a position she has held since 2022.

Dr. Spista holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Bowling Green State University, a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands.

Karri Hobby Appointed Principal of West Hills Elementary School

Karri Hobby has been appointed principal of West Hills Elementary School effective July 2026.

Ms. Hobby joined Knox County Schools in 2001 as a teacher at Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy. She also taught at Northwest Middle.

She began her career in administration in 2009 when she was named vice principal of Oak Ridge High School. In 2011, she became principal of Norwood Elementary School in Anderson County and later principal of Cumberland County High School. In 2022, she was named Director of Voluntary Pre-K and Elementary Supervisor for Cumberland County Schools. She is currently a Strategic Improvement Specialist for Knox County Schools.

Ms. Hobby received a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Wesleyan College and a master's degree in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.

Kristen Jackson Appointed Principal of Brickey-McCloud Elementary School

Kristen Jackson has been appointed principal of Brickey-McCloud Elementary School effective July 2026.

Dr. Jackson began her career in Knox County Schools in 2008 as a substitute teacher. She worked as a classroom teacher at Christenberry Elementary School for five years before being named assistant principal of West Hills Elementary in 2017. She has served as principal of West Hills Elementary since 2022.

Dr. Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services/Counseling from Carson-Newman College, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership, both from Lincoln Memorial University, as well as a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands.

Susan Hutton Appointed Principal of Bearden Middle School

Susan Hutton has been appointed principal of Bearden Middle School effective July 2026. 

Dr. Hutton spent nine years as an elementary teacher and middle school AVID tutor in Newport News, Va. She began her career in administration in 2006 as an assistant principal at Math, Science, and Technology Magnet School in Yorktown, Va. She has also worked as an assistant principal and principal in Gastonia, N.C., and later as principal of Yorktown Middle School in Yorktown, Va., where she led an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, as well as Dare Elementary School. In 2022, she was appointed principal of Brickey-McCloud Elementary, where she currently serves.

Dr. Hutton holds a bachelor's degree in University Studies from University of New Mexico, a master's degree in the Art of Teaching from Christopher Newport University, and a doctorate degree in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership from the College of William and Mary.

Jordan Culp Appointed Principal of Green Magnet Academy

Jordan Culp has been appointed principal of Green Magnet Academy effective July 2026.

Mr. Culp joined Knox County Schools in 2016 as a counselor at Carter High School. He also worked as a counselor at Halls High School. He began his career in administration in July 2020 as an assistant administrator at South-Doyle Middle School. He is currently an assistant principal at Austin-East Magnet High School.

Mr. Culp holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in Education and an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership, both from Lincoln Memorial University.

Michael Toth Appointed Principal of Halls High School

Michael Toth has been appointed principal of Halls High School effective July 2026.

Mr. Toth joined Knox County Schools in 2003 as a teacher at Green Magnet Academy. In 2010, he was appointed assistant principal at Karns High School, and later as assistant principal at Halls High School/North Knox Vocational Technology Center. He is currently principal of Bearden Middle School, a position he had held since 2017.

Mr. Toth holds a bachelor's degree in Voice Performance from Michigan State University, a master's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Tennessee, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

Dr. Casey Cutter Appointed Principal of Gibbs Middle School

Dr. Casey Cutter has been appointed principal of Gibbs Middle School effective July 2026.

Dr. Cutter joined Knox County Schools in 2010 as a teacher from Colorado. He has taught at Adrian Burnett and Ball Camp elementary schools and was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy in 2012 when he was placed at Copper Ridge Elementary School as an assistant principal. He has been an assistant principal at Norwood Elementary, principal of Mount Olive Elementary, and principal of Sam Houston Elementary in Maryville. In 2022, he was named principal of Blue Grass Elementary, where he currently serves.

Dr. Cutter holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado, a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Regis University and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Candace Greer Appointed Principal of Bluegrass Elementary School

Dr. Candace Greer has been appointed principal of Blue Grass Elementary School effective July 2026.

Dr. Greer joined Knox County Schools as an English teacher in 2004 at Fulton High School. She also taught at West High School and Vine Middle School, and has served as an assistant principal at Gresham Middle School, Farragut High School, and Bearden High School. In 2021, she was named to her current position as principal of Gibbs Middle School.

Dr. Greer holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature, a master’s degree in Theory and Practice in Teacher Education, and an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction–all from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She also holds a doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands.

Jessica Holman Appointed Principal of West Haven Elementary School

Jessica Holman has been appointed principal of West Haven Elementary School effective July 2026.

Ms. Holman joined Knox County Schools as a teacher at Dogwood Elementary School in 2003. She was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy when she began her career in administration in 2011 as an assistant principal at Karns Elementary School. She has also served as an assistant principal at Christenberry Elementary School and principal at Inskip Elementary School. She was appointed to her current position as principal of Green Magnet Academy in 2017.

Ms. Holman holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology, a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and an Educational Specialist degree in Leadership and Policy Studies–all from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

Spencer Long Appointed Principal of West High School

Spencer Long has been appointed principal of West High School effective July 2026.

Mr. Long joined Knox County Schools as a science teacher in 2011 at Halls High School. He was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy in 2017 when he began his career in administration as an athletic director and assistant principal at Karns High School. He later served as an assistant principal for Bearden High School and is currently the principal of Halls High School, a position he has held since 2019.

Mr. Long holds both a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Carson-Newman University, and an Educational Specialist degree in Administration from the University of Tennessee.

Kristi Phillips Appointed Principal of Fountain City Elementary School

Kristi Phillips has been appointed principal of Fountain City Elementary School effective July 2026.

Ms. Phillips joined Knox County Schools in 2003 as a teacher at Northwest Middle School. She also served as a TAP mentor teacher at Northwest Middle. She began her career in administration in 2010 when she was appointed assistant principal at Bearden Middle School. She has been an assistant principal at L&N STEM Academy and an assistant principal at Ridgedale. In 2019, she was named principal of Ridgedale, and in 2022, she was appointed special education supervisor for KCS.

Ms. Phillips received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, both from Carson-Newman University.

Dr. Ashley Speas Appointed Director of Academies

Dr. Ashley Speas has been appointed Director of Academies for Region 2 and Region 4 effective July 2026.

Dr. Speas joined Knox County Schools in 2002 as a teacher at Holston Middle School. She previously worked at Jefferson County Schools. She began her career in administration in 2010 as an assistant principal at Holston Middle School and became principal of Holston Middle in 2013. In 2016, she was named principal of West High School, where she currently serves.

Dr. Speas holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Carson-Newman College, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Tusculum College, an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration from Lincoln Memorial University, and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of the Cumberlands.

Dr. Keith Cottrell Appointed Principal of the new Farragut area elementary school

Dr. Keith Cottrell has been appointed principal of the new Farragut area elementary school effective July 2026.

Dr. Cottrell joined Knox County Schools in 1998 as a teacher at Cedar Bluff Intermediate School. He has also served as a teacher at A. L. Lotts Elementary, Blue Grass Elementary, and Sterchi Elementary schools. He was selected to be part of the Leadership Academy in 2011 and placed at Cedar Bluff Elementary School as an assistant principal. He has served as assistant principal at Farragut Primary and as principal of Cedar Bluff Elementary and Northshore Elementary. Additionally, he worked as the Associate Director of the Grow Your Own Center at the University of Tennessee. He currently serves as principal of Fountain City Elementary.

Dr. Cottrell holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in Teaching from Carson Newman University, an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University, and a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Tennessee.