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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
The Carter County School System completed new administrative changes for the 2021-2022 school year with Principal and Assistant Principal positions at Cloudland High School and Cloudland Elementary School as well as Valley Forge and Hampton Elementary Schools.

Also, there were three changes made at the Central Office.

Those changes are as follows:

Principal, Cloudland High School: Dr. Les Simerly

Dr. Simerly comes to Carter County after having served for over 16 years in Sullivan County. Dr. Simerly is currently the Assistant Principal at Colonial Heights Middle School and has been in the role for six years.

He is trusted for his ability to establish relationships with students and staff and create a positive school culture. Dr. Simerly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from King University, an M.Ed. in Education from King University, an Ed.S in Leadership and Administration from Lincoln Memorial University, and a Doctorate in Special Education from Walden University.

Dr. Simerly was a graduate of Cloudland High School and a former Highlander football athlete.

Assistant Principal, Cloudland High School: Dr. Amy Horney
Dr. Horney accepts her first administrative assignment after having served for several years as a successful classroom teacher at Cloudland Elementary School. She has vast experience in mathematics curriculum and instruction and also youth and middle school athletics.

Dr. Horney holds a Bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University, an M.Ed. from Milligan College in Elementary Education, and a Doctorate in School Leadership from Carson Newman University.

Principal, Cloudland Elementary School: Mr. Scott Potter

Mr. Potter rejoins the faculty at Cloudland Elementary School after serving as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Cloudland High School for the past six years.

Prior to that, Mr. Potter was Assistant Principal at Cloudland Elementary School and a successful classroom teacher. Mr. Potter possesses over 15 years of educational experience.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Lees McRae College, a Master’s degree in Administration from
Union College, and an Ed.S. from Union College in Leadership and Administration.

Principal, Valley Forge Elementary School: Mr. Keith Parker

Mr. Parker assumes the role of Principal at Valley Forge Elementary School after having served for two years as Assistant Principal at Happy Valley Middle School.

Mr. Parker has over 16 years of educational experience working in elementary and middle schools in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Mr. Parker holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Gardner Webb University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Union College, and an Ed.S in Educational Leadership from Union College.

Assistant Principal, Hampton Elementary School: Dr. Jake Jenkins

Dr. Jenkins steps into administration after having taught and served the Hampton community for over 13 years as a successful teacher and coach. Dr. Jenkins has led middle grades math curriculum efforts for many years and has extremely strong classroom results while serving at Hampton Elementary School.

Dr. Jenkins holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from East Tennessee State University, a Master’s degree from Milligan College in Education, an Ed.S. in Instructional Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Dr. LaDonna Stout-Boone
Dr. Boone joins us from Johnson City Schools where she most recently served as a District Literacy Coach.

She has experience as an adjunct professor at Milligan College in literacy courses, and primary grades classroom teacher in both Carter County and Johnson City.

Dr. Boone has a vast knowledge of instructional best practices in reading and literacy and serves on the Board of Directors of the Blue Ridge Literacy Project.

Dr. Boone has experience serving as a Regional Integrated Leadership Presenter for the Tennessee Department of Education and a Literacy CORE Coach for the Tennessee Department of Education.

Dr. Boone holds a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in Literacy Education, an Ed.S from Lincoln Memorial University in School Leadership, a Reading Specialist certification from Appalachian State University, an M.Ed. from Tusculum College in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Bachelor’s Degree from East Tennessee State University in Elementary Education.

Dr. Boone is also a National Board Certified Teacher 2nd Renewal. She joined Carter County in January 2021.

Director of Career Technical Education and Safety: Ms. Betsy Oliver

Mrs. Oliver comes to Central Office with an extensive educational background. Her undergraduate degree was awarded by East Tennessee State University.

Mrs. Oliver continued her education at ETSU by receiving her Master’s Degree in Education in 1991. Lastly, in 2008, Lincoln Memorial University granted Mrs. Oliver her Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision.

Mrs. Oliver has served as an Elementary Principal and Afterschool Director. She has been the Principal of Unaka High School for the past seven years.

During her tenure, Unaka High School has excelled in academics by earning and maintaining Tennessee’s Level Five Status.

In addition, Mrs. Oliver has served in mentorship positions as well as conducted professional development opportunities for both teachers and administrators.

Director of Human Resources and Special Projects: Mr. Richard Church

Mr. Church comes to Central Office after having served as Principal of Cloudland High School since 2019.

He has experience as a secondary administrator, elementary administrator, Alternative Education Coordinator, and 21 years of teaching spanning primary and middle grades.

He holds an Ed.S. from Lincoln Memorial University in Curriculum and Instruction, an M.Ed. from East Tennessee State University in Supervision and Administration, and a Bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State University in Elementary Education.

Mr. Church is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Carson Newman University.