Ina Maxwell
Dr. Ina Maxwell was appointed to the State Board of Education by Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton in 2024 to represent the sixth congressional district following 33 years of service as an educator in Cumberland County, TN. Dr. Maxwell retired in 2022 as the Director of Schools. Before this leadership role, she was a classroom teacher for 23 years at Pleasant Hill Elementary, teaching grades first through eighth. She spent the last 10 years of her education career at the Central Office in various roles – District Instructional Facilitator, ESL Supervisor, and Federal Programs Director.
Dr. Maxwell is a lifelong resident of Cumberland County. She is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University (TTU) with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She returned to receive her master’s in curriculum and instruction. In 2007, Dr. Maxwell earned her Ph.D. in exceptional learning for at-risk and diverse learners, with an emphasis on literacy at TTU. Her dissertation included research on the motivation of fourth-grade readers. Prior to retirement, she also served as an adjunct professor at TTU teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses. She has an administrative license from Lipscomb University and a preK-3 endorsement from Tennessee Wesleyan University.
Besides her service to the State Board, she is a Delta Kappa Gamma Society International member. She is also active in her local church and various community activities. She and her husband Greg reside in Cumberland County. They have two grown children and their spouses and one grandchild.