Rutherford County Director of Schools Don Odom has named four new principals for the 2016-2017 school year.

Dr. Crystal Hastings will be the new principal at Christiana Middle School following the recent retirement of former Principal Bob Horne. She transferred to Rutherford County from Williamson County where she was a noted presenter for integrating technology as an instructional classroom tool.

Paige Johnson has been named the new principal of LaVergne Lake Elementary School. The school's former principal, Jeff McCann, recently was named the new principal at Thurman Francis Arts Academy. Johnson has 20 years as a Rutherford County educator, with a considerable amount of that time serving in the LaVergne schools.

Tori Ruis has been named the new principal at Oakland Middle School following the recent retirement of former Principal Kim Edwards. She is an 11-year employee of the Rutherford County School system as an assistant principal at LaVergne High School and as a LaVergne Middle School teacher and assistant principal.

Stephen Wayne has been named the new principal at Rock Springs Middle School following the recent resignation of former Principal Chris Treadway, who took a position in another school district. Wayne has been an assistant principal at Riverdale High School for the past three years, after teaching at Stewarts Creek Middle for seven years.

Odom also will be making an announcement soon for Smyrna West Alternative School, following the retirement announcement of former Principal Kay Davenport.

PRESS RELEASE FROM RUTHERFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS:

MURFREESBORO -- Director of Schools Don Odom today named four new principals for the 2016-2017 school year.

New principals have been selected for Christiana Middle School, LaVergne Lake Elementary School, Oakland Middle School and Rock Springs Middle School. The former principals for those schools recently announced their retirements, resignations or have been hired at another Rutherford County school.

Christiana Middle School

Dr. Crystal Hastings will be the new principal at Christiana Middle School following the recent retirement of former Principal Bob Horne.

"Hastings has served as an assistant principal at the school since 2012 and has distinguished herself as an outstanding academic leader and promoter of the collaborative Professional Learning Community model," Director Odom said.

She transferred to Rutherford County from Williamson County where she was a noted presenter for integrating technology as an instructional classroom tool.

"I'd like to thank Mr. Odom for the opportunity to lead a group of extraordinary teachers, staff and students," Hastings said. "I feel at home in the Christiana community. Together, we will continue building a strong legacy of academic excellence."

LaVergne Lake Elementary School

Paige Johnson has been named the new principal of LaVergne Lake Elementary School. The school's former principal, Jeff McCann, recently was named the new principal at Thurman Francis Arts Academy.

"Ms. Johnson is noted for her abilities to develop teacher talent as evidenced by her four years as a district wide instructional facilitator mentoring new teachers," Odom said. "She will continue to build upon the strengths and assets of LaVergne Lake Elementary."

Johnson has 20 years as a Rutherford County educator, with a considerable amount of that time serving in the LaVergne schools, Odom added.

"I am honored and excited for the opportunity to lead LaVergne Lake Elementary School as their principal," Johnson said. "It is my goal to work with teachers and staff to help empower students to take control of their own learning to reach their fullest potential. I have grown to love the families and community over the last nine years and am humbled to continue to do so to create a bright future for all involved."

Oakland Middle School

Tori Ruis has been named the new principal at Oakland Middle School following the recent retirement of former Principal Kim Edwards.

"Mrs. Ruis is an 11-year employee of the Rutherford County School system as an assistant principal at LaVergne High School and as a LaVergne Middle School teacher and assistant principal," Odom said. "She is a strong academic leader who believes in the Professional Learning Communities concept of building strong collaborative teams."

Ruis was named the Assistant Principal of the Year for the State of Tennessee in 2013-2014 by the Tennessee Association of Secondary School Principals.

"I am thrilled and deeply humbled to be given the opportunity to become a part of the Oakland family" Ruis said. "I look forward to leading Oakland Middle School towards excellence in all areas of education as we work diligently together to prepare these students for their next phase of life. It is my vision to build a successful middle school that is focused on school wide learning and student centered achievement in all areas. I am honored and thankful for this chance."

Rock Springs Middle School

Stephen Wayne has been named the new principal at Rock Springs Middle School following the recent resignation of former Principal Chris Treadway, who took a position in another school district.

"Mr. Wayne will be transferring from Riverdale High where he has been an assistant principal for the past three years after teaching at Stewarts Creek Middle school for seven years," Odom said. "He is a focused and energetic school leader with experience in the middle school and high school environments."

At Riverdale he was the lead administrator for grant writing receiving a $1,000 Walmart Safety Grant and a $25,000 State Farm Grant, Odom added.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to become the next principal at Rock Springs Middle School. We will provide a safe learning environment that focuses on all students achieving high levels of learning," Wayne said. "It is our vision to prepare our students to be successful at the middle school level and to equip them with the educational tools necessary for success in high school."

Mr. Odom also will be making an announcement soon for Smyrna West Alternative School, following the retirement announcement of former Principal Kay Davenport.

About Rutherford County Schools

Rutherford County Schools is an award-winning school district and an education leader in Tennessee. The district is comprised of 46 schools and 43,000 students. The mission of Rutherford County Schools is to empower today's students to grasp tomorrow's opportunities.