TDOE & Belmont University Name 57 School Leaders to 2024-25 Tennessee Rural Principals Network

Developing School Leaders in Rural Communities Across Tennessee

Nashville, TN—Today, the Tennessee Department of Education, in partnership with Belmont University, announced 57 school leaders selected to the 2024-25 cohort of the Tennessee Rural Principals Network (TRPN), which is a comprehensive approach to improve the preparation, retention, and development of principals in rural communities across Tennessee. 

“With Tennessee hosting the fifth-largest number of rural students nationwide, this initiative is crucial in fostering educational leadership in communities across our state,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “We are excited to partner with Belmont University for the next cohort of the Tennessee Rural Principals Network, to provide these school leaders with professional development opportunities to further the important work of setting all our students up for future success.”

The Tennessee Rural Principals Network launched in 2018, giving rural principals an opportunity to learn and grow together through in-person and online learning sessions, focusing on leadership coaching and job-embedded activities. During this cohort, over the next three years, participants will explore the unique challenges and opportunities in rural school leadership, learn strategies to ensure high-quality instruction and the recruitment, retention, and support of rural educators, build relationships among other rural district leaders, and access effective resources in the rural context.   

The names of the school leaders participating in the 2024-25 Tennessee Rural Principals Network cohort are below. 

"The Tennessee Rural Principals Network is a tremendous professional growth and capacity-building mechanism for rural school leaders, positively impacting the students, families, and communities they serve,” said Dr. Jim McIntyre, Dean of the College of Education and Assistant Provost, Belmont University. “For the next three years, the state of Tennessee has increased the investment in this important effort, enabling the TRPN team to serve and support even more rural principals across the state."

For Tennessee Department of Education media inquiries, contact Edu.MediaInquiries@tn.gov. 

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