Walking through the halls of Red Bank High School, it is impossible to ignore the impact that Principal Elaine Harper has had on our school. Whether she is in the classroom mentoring a teacher, in the halls encouraging our students, working late to organize after-school activities, or diligently crafting innovative new programs and coursework, Principal Harper is the ever-present leader and heartbeat of our school.

You will find her at almost every extra-curricular event, whether a football game or robotics competition, cheering on our students. But the classroom is where she loves to see them shine most. Principal Harper is a big thinker, always developing methods to fill resource gaps and boost student achievements. She started ROAR night to recognize the academic successes of our students and has led Red Bank to earn the top level of student academic growth in our state. She strives to ensure each member of our student body is college and career-ready before they walk out of the RBHS doors.

There is no more important resource to a teacher than a principal. As a teacher at RBHS, I feel immensely lucky to have the guidance, support, and mentorship of Principal Harper. She has implemented programs which have not only changed how we run our classrooms but have also shifted the culture of our school.

We now use Google to engage students in our classrooms and to streamline our administrative duties. Teachers have been given flexibility to create new programs and resources, like the Computer Science program and Future Ready Institutes, in which I teach. She listens to concerns and supports ideas that make our school a better place.

So as we recognize all of the amazing and talented principals in Hamilton County during National Principals Month, I give this special ‘thank you’ to Principal Harper for her dedication to our school and students and for her guidance and inspiration, which make me a better teacher and leader, both inside and outside of the classroom.

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Amanda Baron has been a Computer Science teacher at Red Bank High School for three years. Prior to coming to RBHS, she taught at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy. Amanda holds an undergraduate degree in Biology and Environmental Science and a Masters in Secondary Education. She is a CODE.org certified computer science teacher and brought the program to Red Bank in the 2016-17 school year.