News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Allardt Elementary recently named Missie Cravens its new head principal.
Cravens said she is proud to have been given this opportunity and will use it to uphold the school’s high standards. She said the position is not something that she sought out exactly, but rather naturally came to as she served the school over the past 26 years.
“It feels great; I’ve got a wonderful faculty and staff here and this is a wonderful school,” Cravens said. “And I love this school–my sons went to this school–so it’s a really good feeling just to be in leadership here.”
Cravens said she began her career as a teacher at the school those many years ago, only recently moving into the administrative side. She said she has always enjoyed seeing her students improve, and that this position gives her the opportunity to give them the best education possible.
During her time, Cravens said she is not so much focused on changing things as she is on preserving what has worked well while implementing new programs. She said she will be working to expand the boundaries of the school’s focus beyond just academia to nurture students who are artistically or mechanically inclined.
“It’s been an excellent school for years and I just want to continue that,” Cravens said. “I want to ensure that this school continues with the success it’s had, and to build on that success with all the implementations that are coming from state and district levels.”
Cravens said this year they will be starting some CTE training as one of the first implementations. She said it will be difficult to make the adjustments, but also very worth it.
Cravens said she does not know exactly what the future will bring, but that she is confident the years ahead will be some of the school’s best.
“When I leave, I hope I leave this school better than it was when I started,” Cravens said. “That’s all you really can hope for.”
