There are some familiar faces taking on some new roles at the DeKalb County School System this year, with a game of musical chairs filling some vacated spots at the principal positions.

DeKalb Director of Schools Patrick Cripps announced last week that DCHS teacher Anita Puckett will be returning to Smithville Elementary School, this time as principal, while DeKalb Middle School Assistant Principal Angela Johnson will be moving to Northside Elementary to take on the top position at that school. Puckett is taking over for Summer Cantrell who has resigned her position, while Johnson is taking over for Karen Knowles.

In addition, DMS teacher Teresa Jones will be moving to the position of Assistant Principal at DMS to replace Johnson’s spot, while at DCHS teacher Karen France is taking over assistant principal duties at SES from Amanda Dakas.

Puckett has worked at SES, DeKalb Middle School and at DCHS over the years, beginning her career with the school district in 1997 as an English/History/Literature teacher for 7th and 8th graders. Three years later she began teaching 8th grade History/Literature/Science.

In 2015 Puckett was named Assistant Principal at Smithville Elementary School and became interim principal there in 2018 with the departure of Principal Julie Vincent. From 2019 to 2021, Puckett served as Assistant Principal at DeKalb Middle School and moved to DCHS in 2022 to serve as an ESL (English as a Second Language) Teacher.

Puckett is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University. In 1997 she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies-Several Subjects (1-8 grades) and a Master’s Degree in Instructional leadership in 1999. Puckett earned her Specialist in Education in 2017 in Curriculum and Instruction (Reading Emphasis). In 2014 Puckett was named Teacher of the Year at DMS and at the district level.

Puckett said she is excited to have this new opportunity to lead Smithville Elementary School. “In 2015, I was selected as the Assistant Principal at Smithville elementary school. I truly had some of my best days in education at SES. I enjoyed the relationships I created with the students, parents and the faculty.”

“The energy these vibrant, little minds bring each and every day to school resonates into the hallways and throughout the classrooms. Students are so eager to learn. I am eager to lead them. Smithville Elementary may be the oldest school building in the district, but the people that fill these hallways bring it NEW life each and every day. This is a dream come true for me to be recognized as Principal of Smithville Elementary,” added Puckett.

Angela Johnson was named Assistant Principal at DeKalb Middle School just last year after spending six years in the classroom. She spent the first three as a science teacher and the last three years as a Response to Intervention (RTI) instructor supporting students in their reading abilities and as an English Language Arts (ELA) coordinator. She earned her associate degree from Motlow State Community College, a bachelor’s degree at Tennessee Tech, and a master’s degree at TSU.

Before joining the staff at DMS Johnson served six years as a second-grade teacher at Smithville Elementary School and prior to that she was an educational assistant in the school district for 4 ½ years.

“When I first started, my kids went to kindergarten, and I was a substitute assistant on the bus. I later moved from that to becoming an assistant and I worked in that role for four years.  During that time I went and got my associate degree in teaching. I quit working in the school system and subbed for two years while finishing up my bachelor’s degree at Tennessee Tech,” Johnson said.

“Once I finished that I came back to Smithville Elementary and worked in second grade. I taught there. I then left second grade at Smithville Elementary and went to the middle school and taught sixth grade science. I later moved from sixth grade science to RTI at the middle school and then I became the Assistant Principal last year at the middle school and now I am moving onto Northside, so I have touched all aspects of the school system and have enjoyed each one of them. I had a great year at DMS last year working with Principal Caleb Shehane but I am excited now to move on as principal at Northside. I love kids so wherever God puts me where I can do the most good for kids is where I want to be. I believe God puts you in places for a season and He puts you where you need to be in that season of your life and I feel that moving to Northside and being the principal is the season that I am supposed to be at this point in my life,” said Johnson.

Teresa Jones has served 20 years as a seventh-grade science teacher at DMS and said she is excited about her new role.  “I am super excited to further carry on the great work that Mr. Shehane and Mrs. Johnson have done and accomplished at DMS,” said Jones.

“I started teaching in 2002. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Tech. I decided during the pandemic in 2020 to get my master’s degree in Instructional Leadership. I have just finished my 20th year as teacher. I’ll start my 21st year as Assistant Principal at DMS. I have a great rapport with Mr. Shehane and the faculty and staff at DMS and I am happy to carry on that excitement and to further develop these kids,” said Jones.

Jones was named Teacher of the Year for DMS and at the district level in 2020.

Karen France is also excited about her new role in the school system. “I am excited, and I feel honored to get this opportunity to go to Smithville Elementary,” said France. “I taught at the middle school for nine years and at DeKalb West School for eight years and then this last past I was a high school math teacher for one year. The entire time of my career except this past year I taught eighth grade math and science. I look forward now to meeting the students and teachers at SES and to build a relationship with the parents,” said France.

France received her associate degree from Motlow State Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies (K-8) at Tennessee Tech. She also has a master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction and an Ed.S degree in Administration Leadership.

France was Teacher of the Year for DMS in 2012.

There were also some other moves in the school district, including another familiar face joining the main office. Randy Jennings, former SES, DMS, and DCHS Principal, has been hired by Director Cripps to succeed Dr. Kathy Bryant who has stepped down as Supervisor of Instruction for Grades 6-12. Jennings will be working in the central office.

Jennings left two years ago as principal of DeKalb County High School to take a teaching job at Gordonsville High School. This past year, he served as principal at Smith County Middle School and was an assistant coach of the Gordonsville high school Tigerette girls fast pitch softball team. Later in the season, Jennings was named interim head coach and guided the softball team to a state tournament championship.

During the Board of Education meeting last Thursday, Director Cripps gave updates on personnel moves:

Employed:

·         Eli Cross, teacher at DCHS

·         Diana Yvonne Hale, school secretary at DCHS

·         Samantha West, Speech/Language Pathologist at DeKalb West and Northside Elementary School

·         Trey Jones, Northside Elementary

·         Randy Jennings, Central Office

·         Samantha Antoniak, DeKalb West School

·         Ashley Nokes, DeKalb West School

·         Erin Turner, DeKalb Middle School

Transfers:

·         Galen Brown, DeKalb West School to DeKalb Middle School

·         Lorie Isabell, DCHS to Northside Elemetary

·         Kelsey Cornelius, Smithville Elementary to Northside Elementary

·         Amy Fricks, DeKalb Middle School/DeKalb West School to DCHS

·         Ginda Kilgore, DeKalb Middle School to Central Office

·         Anita Puckett, DCHS to SES Principal

·         Angela Johnson, DMS to NES Principal

·         Levaughnda Midgett, SES to DMS

·         Shelia McMillen, DWS to Central Office

·         Rayanna Chapman, SES to DWS

·         Teresa Jones, teacher to Assistant Principal at DMS

·         Edward Dillard, SES to DCHS

Resignations/Retirements:

·         Ashley Cantrell, teacher at NES

·         Linda Parris, teacher at DCHS

·         Roger Sharp, part time computer tech