News Summary
Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has announced the appointment of three new principals for the 2025-26 academic year. Cora Fisher, Karyn Cox, and Jill Evans bring extensive experience and dedication to their roles, aiming to enhance educational leadership and improve student outcomes. These changes reflect the district’s commitment to cultivating strong school cultures and supporting academic excellence as new leaders transition into their positions, a move aligned with the schools’ goal of providing high-quality education.
Chattanooga, Tennessee – Hamilton County Schools has made significant changes in school leadership by announcing three new principal appointments for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year. These selections are part of the district’s commitment to enhancing educational leadership and improving student achievements across its schools.
The newly appointed principals include Cora Fisher at Calvin Donaldson Elementary School, Karyn Cox at Soddy Daisy Middle School, and Jill Evans at Westview Elementary. Each of these educators brings a wealth of experience and a strong dedication to academic excellence.
Cora Fisher, who previously served as the assistant principal at East Side Elementary, has a proven track record of boosting academic growth and reducing student absenteeism. East Side Elementary was notably recognized as a Tennessee Reward School during her tenure. Fisher holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and has over a decade of experience in public education.
Karyn Cox steps into her role at Soddy Daisy Middle School after having been the principal at Brown Middle since 2021 and serving as the assistant principal at Soddy Daisy High. With extensive experience and a focus on community engagement, Cox holds degrees from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the University of West Alabama, and Liberty University, indicating a strong educational foundation.
Jill Evans brings more than 25 years of educational experience to her new position at Westview Elementary. Having previously been principal at Rivermont Elementary since 2018 and assistant principal at Middle Valley Elementary, Evans is known for championing early literacy and supporting inclusive school environments. She also holds multiple certifications, including the Urban Specialist Certification from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
The district plans to fill the vacancies left by Cox and Evans at Brown Middle and Rivermont Elementary, respectively, with new appointments expected to be announced by May.
Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson emphasized the crucial role of leadership in shaping the future of schools. He commended the new appointees for their commitment to cultivating inclusive school cultures and enhancing student success.
Both Fisher and Cox expressed enthusiasm for their new roles and indicated a commitment to fostering supportive learning environments for students and staff alike. Their appointments reflect Hamilton County Schools’ ongoing efforts to develop strong educational leaders capable of making a positive impact on student achievement.
The changes in leadership come at an important time as the district continues to focus on improving educational outcomes for all students. The move to appoint experienced principals is aligned with Hamilton County Schools’ goals of ensuring that each student receives a high-quality education supported by dedicated leadership.
As these new principals step into their roles, the Hamilton County community looks forward to the positive changes they are expected to bring to their respective schools.
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: New Principals Appointed
- Chattanoogan: Hamilton County Schools Announces New Principals
- Local 3 News: Many Principal Changes in Hamilton County Schools
- Wikipedia: Education in Tennessee
- Google Search: Hamilton County Schools
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
