Nov

26

Stephens is New Principal at Stuart Elementary

Director of Schools Rick Denning is pleased to announce that Randall Stephens will become the new principal at George R. Stuart Elementary School. Stephens replaces long time principal, Donald W. Goff, who is retiring after 18 years at the school. "Randall Stephens will do an outstanding job for the Stuart community," says Denning. "He has a proven record as a teacher and administrator and has the ability to continue the tradition of excellence that Mr. Goff has maintained for so many years." Stephens will begin his new duties at Stuart in January immediately after Goff's retirement in December.

Stephens graduated from Lee University in 1997 with a degree in Business Education. He received his Master's in Education and his Ed. Specialists Degree from Tennessee Tech.  He taught in the Business Department at Cleveland High School for nine years. He then served in the administrative intern program for Cleveland City Schools under the direction of Blythe Bower Principal Guilford Hill and Mr. Goff at Stuart. "The training that I received through Mr. Hill and Mr. Goff has been invaluable to me in preparation for this position. I feel that it is a real advantage for me to have previously worked with the students and staff at Stuart," comments Stephens. "They are an outstanding group and I am humbled by this opportunity to serve as their principal."

Stephens comes to this new position from Cleveland Middle School where he has served as the Assistant Principal for the past two years. Stephens' chief duties included student discipline and building maintenance. He is a member of the National Middle School Association and served on the School Improvement and Leadership team. "I will certainly miss the students and my colleagues at the middle school," adds Stephens. "Principal Jeff Elliott has done an amazing job and I appreciate the wisdom and support he has provided the past two years."

Stephens and his wife Bethany have two children, John Andrew (age 3) and William Randall, who was born just this week on November 19. They are members of Peerless Road Church where they serve as Coordinators for Young Adult Activities. He also serves on the church Finance and Administration Committee. He enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, traveling, tennis, and spending time with his family. "I am very excited about working with the Stuart community," says Stephens. "I know that I have very big shoes to fill with Mr. Goff leaving. The school has a wonderful reputation of academic excellence and parental involvement. I will do my best to sustain that reputation and build on the legacy that Mr. Goff has developed with the Stuart family."