For her last school board meeting as the Tullahoma City Schools Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens, known for her love of celebrations, received a surprise celebration from the Board of Education and members of her staff.

For the first round of surprises, after she and the school board celebrated the recent accomplishments of TCS students, Board Chairman Kim Uselton said the celebrations would continue and stated to Stephens that they would be celebrating her. Starting the celebration was former school board member Amy Dodson, who praised Stephens for how she stepped into the role during the time of uncertainty in the COVID-19 pandemic, and no matter how much changed during the day, or the hour, Stephens was always able to communicate to the school board, teachers, staff and parents of students.

 “As a parent and as a teacher, that meant a lot to me that we were getting current updates,” Dodson said. “We weren’t having to wait, but I thought, ‘Gosh, that’s a lot on a new superintendent to run a new school system.’” Dodson would then join the school board, where she had the chance to see what Stephens was about and she said the skills that stood out to her were Stephens’ ability in communication, the time Stephens took to research a question or concern without making a knee-jerk decision and actually listening and taking in any questions and concerns presented to her.

“Probably out of everything that you’ve done, the two things that I’ve taken away from you, and that I’ve learned and that I want to be more like you, is that I can listen to listen, and that I can effectively communicate things that need to be communicated in a timely manner to those that need to hear it,” Dodson said to Stephens.

Dodson also highlighted how Stephens would send poems and songs to the board members for special occasions like birthdays.

“She always took the time to make you feel special,” Dodson said. “I always felt like as a board member, she took the time to make me feel like that my values were important, that I wasn’t just someone sitting at a table.”

Dodson wished Stephens a happy retirement, and told Dr. April Norris, the upcoming Director of Schools, that while she had big shoes to fill, she believed that she could do it.

Former school board member Jessica Fogarty spoke next and praised Stephens for championing the middle school girls in sports, as well as echoing Stephen’s leadership skills.

“You really, to me, carried yourself in such a manner and gave me such an example to model how I would respond to things, and I appreciated that,” Fogarty said.

She then said that any leader would hope to leave a place better than they found it, and told Stephens that she had certainly done that.

“I hope that you are incredibly proud of the work and care you poured into TCS because I am incredibly grateful for it,” Fogarty said. “I know TCS is in a better place.”

Then the TCS principals in attendance gave their congratulations to Stephens, and continued to praise Stephens’ ability to face challenges headon, being their for the educators and for shaping the lives of both the staff and the students. Uselton would then read the statements from the other principals and school leaders not in attendance, who all thanked Stephens for her leadership, friendship and congratulated her on her retirement.

Then, Norris went to the podium and said she and Stephens have been close as any two could be in the last six years since she came on as Deputy Director. Norris said they complemented each other and recalled her interview to become Director of Schools, and knowing that she was different. Norris said she learned much from Stephens and has grown tremendously thanks to her.

“I’m forever grateful,” Norris said. “You empowered me to grow so much over these six years. I still have a lot to learn, and I am so thankful.”

Taking a note from Stephens, Norris then shared a poem with Stephens that covered her time at TCS and the impact she’s had on the school district.

“Our district is the best, our teams know what to do,” Norris recited. “As we make decisions and lead for years to come, I know we’ll think of you.”

The celebrations were not done just yet, as when board got to district reports, Stephens spent her last report by first thanking all the school board members, from the members who made the vote to hire her as the first woman superintendent in TCS, and to the current board sitting around her.

“It has been a joy and privilege to work with every member of the school board here now and in prior years, some of them I have worked for the entire six years,” Stephens said.

She then spent the rest of her report going over what the school district has accomplished since she took the reins as Director of Schools, which included student advisory groups, Tullahoma Virtual Academy, the strategic plans, the creation of the early childhood center and so on. During her report, Stephens teared up as she praised what the district has been able to accomplish with everyone involved.

However, the night of celebrations was yet to be done as Uselton used her chairman report as an opportunity for the sitting school board members to address Stephens. One by one, Tersea Lawson, Rosie Graham, Gigi Robison, Andy Whitt, Broc Compton and Uselton spoke to Stephens, sharing brief personal stories and praising Stephens for what she had done for the school district and for the students.

“Six years goes by fast, but the impact you’re leaving behind will be felt for a very long time,” Uselton said. “Thank you for your dedication, wisdom, and heart. In the words of Mr. Rogers, we’ve heard it before, ‘Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.’ Thank you, and happy retirement.”

And just before the meeting could be adjourned, Stephens received one more surprise from TCS Communications Specialist Zach Birdsong, who created and showed a video of students who talked about what they liked about Stephens, and also congratulated Stephens on her retirement, which caused Stephens to tear up again. With no further discussion or surprises, the school board adjourned its final meeting with Stephens ad Director of Schools.