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After six years as TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens announced today that she will retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, with her official last day scheduled for June 30, 2026.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Tullahoma City Schools Director of Schools,” Stephens said. “We have done some incredible things during my time at TCS, of which I am very proud. My family, who has been along for the ride in my educational career, joined me in Tullahoma, which has been extra special. They have always supported me and been a part of everything, whether they liked it or not. They attended PTO meetings, sporting events, and school functions when I was principal, and I was also the principal of my daughters’ school. All of my family lives right here in this area, and now my grandchildren are students here at TCS. My family has given to me for so long, and now it is time for me to give back to them.” 

Stephens will retire after spending 37 years in education, serving in various roles. She began her career as a fifth and sixth-grade teacher at Parkway Elementary in August 1989, before moving to Texas in January 1991. While in the Houston area, she taught at two schools before assuming her first administrative role in 1997, serving as Assistant Principal at Black Elementary School.

A year later, Stephens and her family would move to Tennessee, as she was a full-time instructor at Middle Tennessee State University. She returned to the elementary level in January 2000 and was the assistant principal at Bellwood Elementary School in Murfreesboro. Two years later, she was named principal at Northfield Elementary School, before leaving to take the same position at Scales Elementary School.

In July 2012, Stephens was named Associate Director of Schools for Teaching and Learning for Franklin Special Schools. Dr. Stephens held that position until she was hired as the Director of Schools in March 2020, officially starting in her new role at Tullahoma City Schools in June 2020. 

“I have always felt a strong connection to Tullahoma,” Dr. Stephens said. “When I learned in 2018 that former Director of Schools Dr. Dan Lawson was stepping down, I felt a tug on my heart. I was very happy in Franklin — we had just built a new home, and life was good — so I quieted that feeling. But when the superintendent position opened again in 2019, I knew it was time to listen to my heart and follow that calling to Tullahoma.”

In her six years at TCS, Stephens has been instrumental in aiding both student and faculty success. Under her leadership, the district has bolstered its community partnerships in various ways. She helped establish and saw the growth of Tullahoma Virtual Academy, while also improving facilities at TCS, including the opening of the new Jack T. Farrar Elementary School this school year.

“For six years, Dr. Catherine Stephens has served Tullahoma City Schools with unwavering dedication, visionary leadership and a deep personal commitment to the success of every student and staff member,” said Tullahoma Board of Education Chairman Kim Uselton. “It is with profound gratitude and warm well wishes that the Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education celebrates Dr. Stephens’ incredible tenure with us. We will use the remaining months of the school year to reflect upon her remarkable accomplishments as she guides us through a successful close to this school year.”

In her retirement announcement, Dr. Stephens expressed excitement about the next chapter and the adventures that await her, while acknowledging that she will miss many aspects of her work and community, most specifically, the people.

“There is this excitement about what’s next, but guess what? It’s also really sad,” Stephens said. “Leading Tullahoma City Schools has been the highlight of my career. I have a lot of people in this district that I treasure. That’s the hardest part. I’ve watched children and students here flourish. We have accomplished so much, whether that’s in fine arts, athletics or academics. We celebrate student and staff successes, cherish their voices and support them on their journey. It has been absolutely incredible.”