News Summary
Hamilton County Schools has appointed three new principals for key schools within the district, highlighting their commitment to educational leadership and student achievement. Rachel Turner will lead Collegiate High School, Sarah Yarbrough takes charge at Ooltewah Elementary School, and Amanda Baron is now principal of the North River Future Ready Center. Each brings a wealth of experience and a focus on innovative teaching methods, ready to inspire students and improve school environments.
Chattanooga, TN – Hamilton County Schools has appointed three new principals for the 2025-26 academic year, reinforcing their commitment to improving educational leadership and supporting student success. The new leaders will take charge of key schools within the district, ensuring a focus on high-quality instruction and positive learning environments.
Rachel Turner has been named the principal of Collegiate High School. A former assistant principal at Tyner Academy, Turner played a significant role in enhancing student achievement and expanding access to advanced coursework during her tenure. She also supported data-driven instructional practices, which contributed to the overall academic climate at Tyner. In addition to her experience at the school level, Turner served as K–12 Social Studies Content Lead for Hamilton County Schools, where she developed curriculum guides and led initiatives aimed at culturally responsive teaching. Turner holds two master’s degrees: one in Educational Leadership and another in Curriculum and Instruction.
Sarah Yarbrough has been appointed principal of Ooltewah Elementary School. With over twenty years of experience in public education, Yarbrough served as assistant principal at Middle Valley Elementary for the past seven years. Her work has focused on fostering inclusive educational practices and leveraging data to inform decision-making. Yarbrough has designed professional development programs and implemented effective Response to Intervention (RTI) frameworks to bolster both academic and social-emotional growth among students. She holds a master’s degree in elementary education and an Educational Specialist degree in principal licensure from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Amanda Baron has been appointed as the principal of the North River Future Ready Center. In her previous role as co-principal of Sequoyah High School, Baron was instrumental in transitioning the school into the new Future Ready Center. She has led significant improvements in student behavior and academic performance, including guiding East Lake Academy from Level 1 to Level 5 in Tennessee’s Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) growth metrics. Baron has experience in launching some of the district’s inaugural Engineering and Computer Science Future Ready Institutes. She holds an Educational Specialist degree in principal licensure and certifications in STEM innovation.
The appointments come as Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson highlighted the crucial role that school principals play in fostering successful learning environments. The newly appointed principals are expected to inspire excellence and contribute to the growth of their respective schools. Their diverse backgrounds in leadership and education underscore the district’s goal of enhancing instructional quality and student achievement through strong leadership.
This initiative reflects Hamilton County Schools’ ongoing commitment to providing high-quality educational experiences for its students through strategic leadership appointments. The new principals are expected to work collaboratively with teachers, parents, and the community to implement effective strategies that promote student success, enhance school culture, and ultimately improve educational outcomes across the district.
As Hamilton County Schools moves forward into the 2025-26 academic year, the leadership transitions set a hopeful tone for future progress and the cultivation of positive educational experiences for all students.
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: New Principals Appointed at Three Hamilton County Schools
- Wikipedia: Hamilton County Schools
- Chattanoogan: Hamilton County Schools Leadership
- Google Search: Hamilton County Schools
- Local 3 News: Hamilton Co Principal Association Requests Increased Funding
- Google Scholar: Hamilton County School Leadership
- News Channel 9: Hamilton County Schools Superintendent to Present Revised Budget
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
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.
