Volunteer State News

The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) announced honorees for its Supervisor, Principal and Teacher of the Year awards at the Excellence in Education celebration in Nashville in December. Lincoln Memorial University Carter and Moyers School of Education alumnus Dr. Kyle Loudermilk was named the 2022-23 Tennessee Principal of the Year.

Loudermilk was selected from nine finalists from across the state which were announced in September. He serves as principal at John Sevier Middle School in Kingsport City Schools (KCS) and previously served as principal at Andrew Jackson Elementary School, associate principal at Kennedy and Lincoln Elementary Schools, interim assistant principal at Robinson Middle School and associate principal at Sevier Middle School. Loudermilk was named the KCS 2022 Principal of the Year.

Loudermilk has prioritized developing educator capacity and collaboration to increase student achievement, set high expectations, and progress toward closing the achievement gaps for all students. Additionally, Loudermilk implemented the district’s “Leader in Me” program, which promotes leadership, culture and academics. Loudermilk is an alumni of the Governor’s Academy for School Leaders program. 

Loudermilk earned an Educational Specialist (EdS) degree in curriculum and instruction from LMU. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in education from East Tennessee State University (ETSU), a master’s degree in education leadership and administration from Union College and an Education Doctorate in educational leadership from ETSU.

In addition to Loudermilk, four other LMU graduates were finalists for TDOE honors. Bradley County Schools Supervisor Brian Webb was among the finalists for Supervisor of the Year. Webb earned a Master of Education from LMU in 2019. April Sneed, who earned her EdS from LMU in 2019, was a finalist on the Principal of the Year list. She is a principal at Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School in Rutherford County Schools. Kristine Walden, principal at City Park School in Athens City Schools, was another finalist for Principal of the Year. Walden earned her EdS from LMU in 2009. Lenior City Elementary School teacher Margaret Bright was the sole LMU graduate among the Teacher of the Year finalists. Bright earned An EdS from LMU in 2007.

Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@lmunet.edu.

Original source can be found here