Published on June 6, 2016 at 5:15 p.m.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Kingsport City Schools has announced four district administrative appointments, effective on or before July 1, 2016. 

Jacki Wolfe has been named Director of Special Education, Dr. Stephanie Potter has been named Director of Professional Learning,  Dr. Amy Doran has been named Coordinator of Early Childhood/Grant Writer and Christy Free has been named Principal of John Adams Elementary School.

Jacki Wolfe will oversee all special education operations for the district.  Prior to joining KCS, Wolfe served as Regional Consultant and Statewide Monitoring Coordinator for Federal Programs and Special Education for the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) in the Division of Consolidated Planning and Monitoring.  She also has 16 years of experience as a teacher and administrator with Sullivan and Hawkins Counties. 

“We are thrilled to have Mrs. Wolfe become part of KCS in the capacity of Director of Special Education,” said KCS Superintendent Dr. Lyle Ailshie.  “She brings a wealth of knowledge with her from her time working for the TDOE.  Mrs. Wolfe will bring a unique perspective to this key role and we are certainly glad to have her as a member of our leadership team.”

Wolfe holds a B.S. in Education from East Tennessee State University and a M.Ed. in Supervision and Administration from Lincoln Memorial University. 

“I am honored to accept the role of Director of Special Education for Kingsport City Schools,” said Wolfe.  “I am excited to become a part of a team that provides world-class education to KCS students, especially those students who receive special education services.  I look forward to joining the administrative team and being part of the excellent support system already in place for students, families, and KCS staff.”

Dr. Stephanie Potter will provide leadership in the area of professional learning for all aspects of the district.  She has been employed by KCS for seven years, serving as associate principal at Robinson Middle School and principal at John Adams Elementary School.  Prior to joining KCS, Dr. Potter taught in the Lee and Scott County, VA school systems.

“Dr. Potter has provided strong leadership for KCS in her tenure with us and I look forward to her transition into a new role while remaining a member of the system’s Leadership Team,” said Ailshie.  “She has the vision, skills, and drive to take KCS professional learning to the next level.  We are honored to have someone with her expertise in this new role as we seek to better serve our classified and professional educators.”

Dr. Potter holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies with Elementary Education K-8 from Carson-Newman College, a M.A. in Curriculum Education K-12 from Tusculum College, an Ed.S. in Education Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University, and an Ed.D. in Education Teaching and Learning from Liberty University.

“I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, faculty, and staff of Kingsport City Schools in this new capacity as Director of Professional Learning,” said Potter.  “I look forward to being a part of the continued excellence of KCS within the professional learning domain to support our district’s mission and vision of providing a student-focused and world-class education.”

Dr. Amy Doran will supervise system-wide Pre-K programs, Early Intervention Programs, and Early Childhood Learning Center programs; serve as building administrator for the Palmer Early Learning Center; and oversee all functions and activities associated with federal, state, foundation, and private enterprise grants for the district. 

She has been employed by KCS for 24 years, serving as a teacher at Lincoln Elementary, Jefferson Elementary and Kennedy Elementary, system-wide Literacy Coach, and associate principal at Washington Elementary.  Prior to joining KCS, Dr. Doran taught school in Georgetown, SC, was an interventionist with Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), and served as director of the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Day School in Kingsport.

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Doran assume leadership of our district Early Childhood programming,” said Ailshie.  “Her unique work history and proven leadership skills, along with her experience in the field of grant writing, will help her smoothly transition to this new role.  I know she will be able to build on our past success and ensure the KCS early childhood programs are second to none.”

Dr. Doran holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University, a M.A. in Education from Tusculum College, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from East Tennessee State University.

“It is an honor to accept this new role as Coordinator of Early Childhood/Grant Writer,” said Doran.  “I have a passion for working with young children and seeing that they get a strong educational foundation from which they can grow and learn throughout their lives.  I look forward to serving the students and families of Kingsport City Schools in a new and exciting way.”

Christy Free has been named principal of John Adams Elementary, replacing Dr. Stephanie Potter. Free has been employed by KCS for six years, serving as a teacher at Robinson Middle School and associate principal, interim principal, and principal at Kennedy Elementary School. Prior to joining KCS, she taught in Hawkins County for five years.

“Mrs. Free’s career reflects a long history of educational and leadership growth,” said Ailshie.  “Her passion for children is evident and I am pleased she will be able to bring her energy, abilities and skills to the position of principal at Adams Elementary.  Mrs. Free will be a tremendous asset to the Adams community as the school continues to expand its enrollment and serve one of our community’s newest developments.”  

Free holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Tennessee, a M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Milligan College, and an Ed.S. in Administration from Lincoln Memorial University.

“I look forward to this new chapter in my career,” said Free.  “Adams Elementary is a wonderful school with a supportive community.  I am excited to become a part of such a vibrant learning environment.”   

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins counties. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and a non-traditional school; with total enrollment over 7,100 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to be, Student Focused … World Class.

KCS has been named the top school district in Tennessee as winner of the 2014 SCORE Prize District Award by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) and has earned the 2014 Achievement Award in the annual Excellence in Tennessee Recognition Program by the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNPCE).

For more information on KCS, visit k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, read our blog, We Are KCS, or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Twitter (@KCS_District) and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools).

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