KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education started the second half of the school year off by celebrating its Principal and Supervisor of the Year: Dr. Woody Dillehay and Dr. Wendy Wilkerson.

At the Jan. 20 meeting, Director of Schools Dr. Catherine Stephens kicked off the celebration by giving some background about the two district distinctions. According to Stephens, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) streamlined the process for Principal and Supervisor of the Year. Last year was the first time TCS entered into the state level awards category with its honorees Mary Gilbert for Principal of the Year, and Jessie Kinsey for Supervisor of the Year. Gilbert would advance and be named in the top eight principals in the state.

“I’m truly proud that we are participating in the state level award process,” Stephens said.

She added that Dillehay and Wilkerson will go forward in the competition as part of the South Central region.

Just like the teachers of the year, Stephens first called for Dillehay to be recognized as Principal of the Year. Per Stephens, Dillehay is the principal of East Middle School and has been an educator for over 27 years, where he has served in various roles including a P.E. teacher, science teacher, coach, coordinated school health director and principal at Robert E. Lee. Stephens highlighted that as principal for EMS, he had worked hard to ensure a positive atmosphere for students, teachers and staff, along with having EMS earn the first letter grade of an A in TCS from TDOE’s state report card.  

“His commitment to students first is clear from the motto he shares to the way he and all others at East Middle School work,” Stephens said.

She also shared a quote Dillehay that he other says to EMS staff and teachers that, “we need to love the kids that come through the door, create a positive attitude, student experience and help them do well academically, socially and emotionally.”

After recognizing several of Dillehay’s family, Stephens shared some more of Dillehay’s phrases that he’s used with faculty and staff over the years, which include “Are we just spinning our wheels in the mud?” and “There isn’t cement around these suggestions?”

“We look forward to watching Dr. Dillehay’s progress through this state recognition process,” Stephens said. “He’s going to represent all of us in Tullahoma City Schools well, congratulations Dr. Dillehay.”

Following Dillehay was Wilkerson as the Supervisor of the Year. According to Stephens, Wilkerson has been a part of TCS for 19 years, and serves as the district’s Director of Special Education since 2020, and previously served as the Special Education Coordinator and also worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist. In her role, Wilkerson oversees and guides all elements of special education and 504 services, as well as managing teachers and staff budgets, including federal grants, student data, compliance metrics, collaborates with TDOE partners, meets with parents, teachers and staff, attends and leads professional learning sessions and serves as the building principal from the CSS building, where she manages the facility, schedule and using the spaces, helping others to utilizing those spaces and so on.

“She is dedicated to serving,” Stephens said. “She cares deeply about the team members she works with as she invests time to get to know them well. She is always thrilled to support students first. She leads with the student first focus in all aspects of her work.”

Stephens then shared that Wilkerson’s team offered nothing but praise for her and said that she led with integrity and sets a strong example. Her team also said Wilkerson’s decisions were consistently guided on what was best for the students and no task was beneath her, ranging from taking out the trash to answering the phone to picking up breakfast and lunch for the building.

“What truly sets Wendy apart is her willingness to go the extra mile in every role she serves,” Stephens said. “She consistently gives her best, no matter the task or the title, and does so with integrity, compassion and dedication.”

After recognizing some of her family, Stephens congratulated Wilkerson and said, like Dillehay, will represent TCS well in the recognition process.