Alicia Kahrs, Rob Jenkins and Richelle Shelton
Dr. Joel Barnes
Karen Hall, Susan Rodriguez and Bob Pritchard
Matt Ingram, Ali Creel and Scott Carroll
Dr. Stephanie Stone
Dr. Russell Dyer, Director of Cleveland City Schools, announces the Cleveland City Schools’ District Level Teachers of the Year, Principal of the Year and Supervisor of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year. These individuals were chosen based on their outstanding service to Cleveland City Schools and will represent the school system in the next round of state level competitions.
District Teachers of the Years:
Mr. Rob Jenkins, 4th Grade teacher at George R. Stuart Elementary School, has been selected
as the Cleveland City Schools’ Elementary Teacher of the Year. Mr. Jenkins is in his fourth year of
teaching at George R. Stuart Elementary School and for Cleveland City Schools.
Mrs. Ali Creel, Special Education teacher at Cleveland Middle School, has been selected as the
Cleveland City Schools’ Middle School Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Creel is in her 14th year with
Cleveland City Schools and previously worked at Cleveland High School, Blythe-Bower
Elementary School, and E.L. Ross Elementary School. Ali has spent her last seven years teaching
Special Education at Cleveland Middle School.
Mrs. Susan Rodriguez, Spanish teacher at Cleveland High School, has been selected as the
Cleveland City Schools’ High School Teacher of the Year. Susan is in her 5th year teaching
Spanish at Cleveland High School and for Cleveland City Schools.
Principal of the Year:
Dr. Stephanie Stone, principal at Yates Primary School and E.L. Ross Elementary School, has
been chosen as the Cleveland City Schools’ Principal of the Year. Dr. Stone has worked for
Cleveland City Schools for 15 years. She has previously served Cleveland City Schools as a
teacher for five years, curriculum coordinator for one year, and assistant principal for six years prior to becoming a principal. Dr. Stone is in her third full year as a principal for Cleveland City Schools.
Supervisor of the Year:
Dr. Joel Barnes, supervisor of Federal Funds and Professional Development, has been chosen
as the Cleveland City Schools’ Supervisor of the Year. Dr. Barnes has worked in Cleveland City
Schools for 17 years with six years as teacher, two years as an assistant principal, and five years as the principal at Blythe-Bower Elementary School. Dr. Barnes is currently serving in his fourth year as a supervisor for Cleveland City Schools.
Dr. Dyer shared these thoughts on the selections, “It is always exciting to recognize our
outstanding educators. Mr. Jenkins, Mrs. Creel, and Mrs. Rodriguez are three shining examples
of the great educators we have in our schools throughout Cleveland City. They will each
represent us well as they move on to the next level. At the principal level, Dr. Stephanie Stone
continues to do a marvelous job in her position as principal of both Yates Primary School and
E.L. Ross Elementary School. She has risen to the challenge of navigating leading both schools
to a high level of success and is most deserving of this honor. Finally, Dr. Joel Barnes has been
an integral part of assisting the school district in navigating the world of federal funding this year
and has also completed some important work in updating our professional development offering
for staff. He is very deserving of being named Supervisor of the Year.”
"Cleveland City Schools celebrates and congratulates each of these individuals. Best of luck to
each educator as they move into the state levels of competition," officials said.
Cleveland City Schools’ Building Level Teachers of the Year:
Arnold Memorial Elementary- Cheryl Matthews
Blythe-Bower Elementary- April Salyer
Candy’s Creek Cherokee Elementary- Brittany Strother
Mayfield Elementary- Morgan Burke
E.L. Ross Elementary- Megan Yates
George R. Stuart Elementary- Rob Jenkins
Yates Primary School- Susan Hoops-Whitlock
Cleveland Middle School- Rodney Broadnax, Ali Creel, and Candace Parker
Cleveland High School- Brian DeLoach, Tom Marino, and Susan Rodriguez