TDOE Appoints Jonathan Criswell as Chief Program Officer
Milan Special School District’s Director of Schools Tapped to Join TDOE
Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced Jonathan Criswell, Director of Schools for Milan Special School District, will join the department as Chief Program Officer (CPO), effective later this summer. In this role, Criswell will lead the department’s core programming efforts, such as data and evaluation, school improvement, choice, federal programs, and assessment and accountability.
“Jonathan Criswell’s leadership at Milan Special School District has led to strong opportunities to accelerate student achievement and outcomes, and we are thrilled to add his wealth of knowledge and expertise to our department leadership team,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “He is a passionate educator who will bring years of experience and an important perspective to help us set students up for future success.”
Criswell started his career as a computer and business education teacher. He later was the assistant principal at Ridgemont Elementary School in Union City Schools, where he evaluated teachers and created a school improvement plan. He then served as principal of Trenton Elementary School in Trenton Special School District, where he led efforts to develop a teacher-driven plan focused on increasing student achievement. After serving nearly 19 years in various roles in elementary, middle and high school settings, he was appointed as director of schools for Milan Special School District in 2016.
Under his leadership, Milan Special School District has had transformational academic growth and participates in initiatives to boost student academic achievement and learning acceleration, including TN ALL Corps, Innovative School Models, and Grow Your Own. Additionally, through the district’s participation in TN ALL Corps and other strategic initiatives, the district earned the Tennessee Best for All District distinction in 2022.
Criswell has developed and implemented many policies, programs, curriculum, and budgets to promote educational development for each student and support for each staff member. In his role as director of schools at Milan Special School District, he developed a robust CTE program and helped the district become a Reading 360 Model District for the implementation of foundational reading skills.
“I am honored to join Commissioner Reynolds and the outstanding team at the Tennessee Department of Education,” said Jonathan Criswell. “My journey in education—from teacher to principal to superintendent—has always been driven by a passion for supporting and empowering those around me. I now look forward to working with superintendents and school districts across the state as we strive to provide a quality education for all students.”
For more information about assessment, click here. For more information about accountability, click here. Additionally, for more information about school choice, click here.
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