Danette Kelley, the principal of Signal Mountain Christian School, has announced plans to retire after leading the school for the past 14 years. Prior to serving as principal, Mrs. Kelley was a parent of an SMCS student, a volunteer, and then a Board member, along with her husband, Pat.
SMCS Board Chairman David Moss said that this was difficult news for everyone in the SMCS community. “In many ways Danette is the heart and soul of the school. She and her husband Pat have been involved for 22 of the 23 years that SMCS has been in operation. She has touched the lives of hundreds of students and parents, and she has guided us safely through growth and many changes.”
During Mrs. Kelley’s tenure, SMCS has grown in size, demonstrated its sustainability as an institution, and established and constructed its own campus. Mrs. Kelley has seen former SMCS students return both as teachers and as young parents enrolling their own children at SMCS.
The move of SMCS from the facilities of Wayside Presbyterian Church to its own campus was a particularly significant event during Mrs. Kelley’s tenure. Mrs. Kelley fondly recalls leading the students over to the new campus site during construction, typically on Thursday afternoons, to take snacks, treats, notes, and drawn pictures from the students to the workers as an expression of thanks and caring. “The foreman told me one day that he never had trouble getting workers to show up on Thursdays.”
Mrs. Kelley has assembled and led a staff at SMCS that has excelled at teaching and caring for students, said officials. “My job was made so enjoyable by the dedication and loving commitment of our teachers and staff. Their love and care for their students has been a beautiful thing to see.”
And of course, she has the deepest affections for the students that she has shepherded at SMCS. “Every single student who has walked through the doors of SMCS has made an indelible impact on my life. Each one is made in the image of God, created perfectly and differently. I have had the opportunity to love each one.”
Mrs. Kelley will continue as principal until SMCS has named her successor. “Danette has made it clear to the Board that she wants to ensure a smooth transition in leadership. She will stay on until we have identified her successor and that person joins our school,” said Mr. Moss.
The SMCS Board has appointed a search committee to recommend a replacement, which has been at work since Mrs. Kelley informed the Board of her intention to retire. The search committee anticipates publicly posting a job description for the position later this month.
“Before we officially go external with posting the position, we want to be sure to do our homework thoroughly, on exactly what it is we think this position needs to do for SMCS at this point in the life of the school, and what are the key characteristics of the person who would succeed in the role,” said Tom Hayslett, chair of the search committee. “That said, through word of mouth we already have received some clear interest in the position, so that is encouraging.”
Interested applicants should contact SMCS via telephone at 886-1115, or via U.S. Mail at 808 Key Hulse Road, Signal Mountain, Tennessee 37377 and, in either case, leave appropriate information with Danette Kelley or Leslie Dunn. Information about the opening also soon will be placed on the SMCS website, at www.smcstn.org.