Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Veteran schools administrator Clara Patterson has been named principal of the county’s newest high school. Patterson, who served as principal at Ringgold Elementary School since 2007, will begin her duties immediately as the chief administrator for West Creek High School, which opens in August.

“Dr. Patterson has a tremendous amount of experience in instruction, is strong in instruction and is skilled at coaching and working with teachers in a positive and effective way,” Schools Director Mike Harris said today.

Patterson was director of educational services for CMCSS before she spent two years as a program manager in educational data systems with the Stupski Foundation. Previously, Patterson has served as principal for St. Bethlehem Elementary and she opened Glenellen Elementary School in 1999. She also has worked in the system as an assistant principal and teacher.

“I’m excited to be given the opportunity to lead Clarksville’s newest high school. It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with the West Creek community to establish a school culture that believes in the youth we serve today. I look forward to working with other dedicated educators in building a faculty, staff, and community focused on the success of every student we serve in the West Creek complex,” Patterson said.

Patterson earned her doctorate in education from Trevecca Nazarene University and her B.A. and M.A. from Austin Peay State University.  She has presented at national conferences on instructional issues.  

Patterson will be replaced at Ringgold by the school’s current assistant principal, Melinda Harris, who previously served at Northeast Elementary as an assistant principal.  Harris has been an academic coach, a reading specialist and classroom teacher at Norman Smith.  She earned her master’s degree in Education, Leadership and Supervision from Austin Peay, and her B.S. in Elementary Education from Middle Tennessee State University.

“What an exciting opportunity! In the last year I have not only found a home at Ringgold, but colleagues who have become a second family.  I have grown close to the students and the Ringgold community so I am thrilled to be chosen to further support our students as they grow and learn. To have the opportunity to lead such a loving and dedicated staff is truly a blessing,” she said.

“I have deep roots with the CMCSS. My father taught at Clarksville High and my mother recently retired from the school system. My husband and I are both products of the local schools and we have four children who are now enrolled. It is an honor to be a part of a school system that is so important to me; I want to give back to our community in a way that replicates what our community has done for me, making our children a priority is a way of fulfilling that mission,” she added.