Each year an outstanding public school principal earns distinction as the Tennessee Department of Education Principal of the Year (POY).  This honor is reserved for school leaders who demonstrate superior abilities in:

·         managing and motivating students and faculties;

·         evoking high standards;

·         demonstrating a commitment to excellence;

·         implementing innovative programs; and

·         having a track record of exceptional gains in student learning.

Principals of the Year are selected competitively through four cycles: district, region, grand division, and state. 

Principals selected at each cycle receive local recognition and awards underwritten by local sources. State recognition and awards include a banquet honoring the nine region-level Principals of the Year.

2023-24 Principal of the Year

Of nine Principal of the Year finalists representing Tennessee’s eight CORE regions, as well as the Shelby County-Municipals area, Ms. Tina Francis of Jere Whitson Elementary School in Putnam County Schools was selected as the 2023-24 Tennessee Principal of the Year.

Ms. Francis believes that as a school leader, it is important for her to serve as a role her school is the hub of her community and strives to bring together partners to offer support and opportunities for her students, families, and community members. developing educator capacity and collaboration to increase student achievement, set high expectations, and progress toward closing the achievement gaps for all students. Additionally, Ms. Francis helps her school achieve excellence by focusing on the core values of high expectations, accountability, teamwork, and a growth mindset.

Benefits of Participating in the Tennessee Prinicipal of the Year Program

What are the benefits to principals?

By participating in the Tennessee Principal of the Year program, school leaders have the opportunity to:

·         be celebrated and honored for making exceptional gains with students,

·         expand knowledge of education policy and participate in local, state, and national policy discussions,

·         serve on state-level committees and consult on department initiatives,

·         act as a spokesperson and advocate for the education profession, and

·         become inducted into an amazing network of statewide awardees, and become connected to an impactful, ongoing body of work that engages you as a professional long after an awardee’s service year.

What are the benefits to schools and districts?

By participating in the Tennessee Principal of the Year program, districts and schools have the opportunity to:

·         attract local, state, and national attention,

·         allow the district’s honorees to serve as a voice for the education profession, thus elevating the district and attracting educators and leaders to the district, and

·         celebrate excellence in education by honoring hard working, successful school leaders.

What does the Tennessee Principal of the Year do?

·         Respond to and fulfill Tennessee Principal of the Year speaking requests, presentations, etc.

·         Share their expertise with the department.

·         Identify and advocate for educational issues.

Eligibility & Selection Process

A Principal of the Year Nominee must:

• have a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in public schools.;
• have a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a principal; and
• at all levels of recognition, must be employed as a principal in a Tennessee public school system.

Directors of schools will nominate one principal from each district using the online Principal and Supervisor of the Year Nomination Form. 

This honor is earned by demonstrating superior abilities in:

·         managing and motivating students and faculties;

·         evoking high standards;

·         demonstrating a commitment to excellence;

·         implementing innovative programs; and

·         having a track record of exceptional gains in student learning

The 2025-26 nomination deadline is December 16, 2024.

Projected 2025-26 Timeline

Application Resources

• 2024-25 Tennessee Principal and Supervisor of the Year Process Overview (click here to watch): This short video provides an overview of the 2024-25 Tennessee Principal and Supervisor of the Year process and what you can expect from each stage in the selection process.
• Approaching the Part I Principal and Supervisor of the Year Application (click here to watch): This one-hour webinar will dive more deeply into the components of the part I Principal and Supervisor of the Year application.
• Approaching the Part II Principal and Supervisor of the Year Application (click here to
• watch): This one-hour webinar will dive more deeply into the components of the part II Principal and Supervisor of the Year application.
• Part I Application(Coming Soon) : This document contains all questions listed in the electronic application. Districts are encouraged to use this document as a foundation for their own district-level Principal of the Year applications. Applicants are encouraged to use this document to draft and revise application responses prior to submitting via the online form.
• Part II Application(Coming Soon):  This document contains all questions listed in the electronic application. Applicants are encouraged to use this document to draft and revise application responses prior to submitting via the online form.
• Principal of the Year Guidebook Applicants(Coming Soon) own district-level Principal of the Year applications. Applicants are encouraged to use this document to draft and revise application responses prior to submitting via the online form.