The fourth Leadership Hamilton County Schools cohort has held its first session. 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.
“Leadership HCS invites key influencers in our community to experience the strengths and opportunities of our district," said Dr. Sonia Stewart, Hamilton County Schools Deputy superintendent. "Allowing these change makers a chance to see the intricacies of Hamilton County Schools creates space for them to become champions of our students and district. Our students' success is a shared responsibility, and through this program, we hope to cultivate advocates among these leaders to ensure the community is supporting our vision of all students thriving.”
Participants will attend eight monthly sessions running from October to May, with each focusing on a different action area of Hamilton County Schools. The 2023 cohort began learning about Accelerating Student Achievement 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," ending with a deep dive into how the school district budget is created and implemented.
The 2022-23 cohort consists of 16 community leaders, including Geoff Millener, chief operating officer of The Enterprise Center. "Blake Freeman ended our first session to a round of applause as he said, 'I believe public education is a right, and that it should be excellent.' The opportunity to participate in Leadership Hamilton County Schools, following in the footsteps of and walking alongside so many brilliant minds — I'm leaving our first day inspired and excited about what's to come, for our group but especially for our students and families,” said Mr. Millener.
Leadership Hamilton County Schools 2023 Cohort
Jocelyn Loza, Latina Professionals of Chattanooga, Executive Director
Geoff Millener, The Enterprise Center, Chief Operating Officer
Eduardo Centurion, Maclellan Foundation, Program Officer
Lee Hope, Chattanooga Public Library, Head of Children’s & Youth Services
Dr. Shane Brown, Lee University, Director of Teacher Education, Field
Experiences and Certification
Jill Black, Hamilton County Schools, District 11 School Board Representative
Stefanie Dalton, City of Red Bank, Vice Mayor of Red Bank
Kelly Flemings, KELCURT Foundation / Soddy-Daisy Community Library,
Education & Outreach Coordinator
Chelsea Johnson, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Director of Community Relations and Foundations
Danielle Farmer, Real Estate Partners Chattanooga LLC, Marketing Director/Operations
Gayle Lodato, Helen Ross McNabb Center, Senior Director of Greater
Chattanooga
Cory Howard, Cempa, Chief Operating Officer
Jim Morgan, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga, Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Vice Provost for Academic Outreach
Chief Glenn Scruggs, Chattanooga Police Department, Assistant Chief of Police
Anthony Sammons, City of Chattanooga, Administrator, Office of Community
Development
Visit here for more information on Leadership Hamilton County Schools.