(MURFREESBORO) Chris Lafferty has been named principal at Christiana Elementary School. Prior to that he served as assistant principal at Barfield Elementary School for the past nine years.
Rutherford County Schools Director Bill Spurlock said, "He understands that every child has the ability to learn and that some need more support than others. His background and experience makes him the ideal candidate to lead Christiana Elementary School and build a rapport with the community, parents and students."
Lafferty has been an educator for 19 years and spent most of the past decade working alongside Judy Goodwin, longtime principal of Barfield.
He grew up in Eastern Kentucky and learned to overcome struggles. In his words, "poverty is not a destination."
Lafferty commented, "It was teachers and principals who helped me overcome and allowed me to raise a family in Tennessee. Without that, I wouldn't have gotten out."
Lafferty is an accomplished pianist and music teacher. He played for the Kentucky Opry, has written his own programs and was a Teacher of the Year.
At Christiana, he plans to keep the programs that work while evaluating those that aren't. He aims for students to have both high achievement and academic growth.
"I know the value of hard work," Lafferty said. "That's what I want for Christiana, is everyone working together for the benefit of the students."