CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee-- The fifth Leadership Hamilton County Schools (Leadership HCS) cohort held its first session on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
Leadership HCS seeks to create opportunities for a diverse group of community leaders and stakeholders to understand HCS in a unique way. Participants experience both the successes and challenges of how HCS supports its students. The program equips participants with the knowledge and skills to champion and respond to challenges of public education.
“Leadership HCS is an opportunity for key leaders in Hamilton County to learn about the strengths and needs of our work in Hamilton County Schools,” said Dr. Sonia Stewart, Hamilton County Schools Deputy Superintendent. “The insight participants gain from these sessions shines a light on where their organizations could plug into our district and become a part of helping all children thrive. This program is one of our continued focus areas to ensure our community is connected and our students have resources outside of our district.”
Participants will attend eight monthly sessions running from November to June, with each focusing on a different action area of Hamilton County Schools. The 2023 cohort began learning about the strategic plan, Opportunity 2030 and governance in public education during the program's first session. In addition to exploring the remaining district action areas, participants will experience being "principal for a day," and end the program e with a deep dive into how the school district budget is created and implemented.
The 2023-24 cohort consists of 16 community leaders. Kate Skonberg, Director of Family and Community Engagement, says of the program, “Our new cohort brings together a diverse group of proven leaders and change agents from various sectors in our community. The unique journey offered through this program also allows cohort members to learn from each other. Participants emerge informed and inspired, empowered not just as individual leaders but as contributors to the strong collective leadership propelling our community towards a brighter educational future for all.”
Leadership Hamilton County Schools 2023 Cohort
- Alexa LeBoeuf- Hamilton County, Director of Economic and Community Development
- Andrew Hudson- Chattanooga 2.0, Director of Viable Pathways
- Ben Connor- Hamilton County Department of Education, District 6 School Board Representative
- Bryant Fairley- University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Director for Engagement
- Darren Hodges- Coca-Cola United, TN Valley Division Director
- Dylan Rivera- City of Chattanooga, Director of Policy Planning and Implementation
- Faye Robinson- Hamilton County Department of Education, District 10 School Board Representative
- Gary Kuehn- Hamilton County Department of Education, District 9 School Board Representative
- Kathryn Barnes- PlayCore, Senior Manager of Programs and Partnerships
- Lakecha Threats- State of Tennessee, Administrative Judge
- Maranda Wilkinson- National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, Director of Education and Public Programming
- Mary Helen Montgomery- The Enterprise Center, Civic Storytelling Program Director
- Robert Philyaw- Hamilton County, Juvenile Court Judge
- Sandy Pricer- RiseUP, CEO and Co-Founder
- Tim Sears- Creative Discovery Museum, President and CEO
- Yvonne Chester- Chattanooga Medical Research, Site Director
Visit here for more information on Leadership Hamilton County Schools.