Dr. Ava Warren has been named assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at the Hamilton County Schools, Supt. Jim Scales announced.
Dr. Warren is currently the associate principal at Howard School of Academics and Technology. She will assume her new duties on July 1 and report to Ray Swoffard, who will be deputy superintendent of campus support.
“Ava has a variety of K through 12th grade educational experience including urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, Central Office and site leadership,” Mr. Swoffard said. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and curriculum experience to the team. I look forward to working with her to help take our instructional program to the next level.”
The assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, which is a member of Dr. Scales’ Executive Leadership Team, will be responsible for all instruction and curriculum in the district and will work closely with the three area superintendents and operations directors to ensure that the curriculum is being effectively delivered and implemented in all schools, officials said.
This position is part of Dr. Scales’ recent reorganization of the central office. All applicants for the position went through the new selection process that features an interview panel of teachers, community members and administrators along with a formal presentation. Dr. Scales conducted a second round of interviews with selected candidates and Ray Swafford made the final decision.
“I was impressed with Dr. Warren’s depth, knowledge and understanding of the teaching and learning process and the clear distinction between curriculum and programs,” Dr. Scales said. “Her experience with the National Science Foundation and at Howard showcases her ability to implement instructional strategies using programs to make sure the curriculum is being properly delivered across the district. She will spearhead our efforts to assess our curriculum, programs and staff development and see how to manage them so we can take our instruction to a higher level.”
Dr. Warren has a diverse educational career beginning in 1977 in Williamson County, Tn. She began her tenure with Hamilton County Schools in 1990 as a resource teacher at Ooltewah High School and, in the 17 years since, has worked as an inclusion teacher at Loftis Middle School, a science specialist and math coordinator at the central office and director of the National Science Foundation Project MaSS at the central office beginning in 2000. She moved to Howard School of Academics and Technology as associate principal in 2004.
The district will begin the search for Dr. Warren’s replacement at Howard High School in the next few weeks, it was stated.