Two Putnam County Schools Systems staff members have completed the Tennessee School Board Prospective Superintendent Academy.
Students Services Supervisor Trey Upchurch and Algood Middle Principal Bubba Winningham said they wanted to become well-rounded members of the school system’s administration. Upchurch said that the experience provided them with insight into how to better serve their community.
“You know it’s the weakest link principle,” Upchurch said. “It’s that chain where if you’re not there supporting everybody who has a piece of the pie, then there’s going to be issues in your organization. So I think doing things like this helps to strengthen that chain and the overall process.”
Winningham said that his biggest takeaway was fostering relationships with other central office folks, principals, and superintendents. He said that they were able to form strong networks for further communication and collaborations in the future.
Both Upchurch and Winningham said that they are not exploring superintendent positions in the immediate future. They said that the series of lectures and speakers was more to help paint the bigger picture of the role of a superintendent.
“It just another continuous learning piece,” Winningham said. “But also helping me do the best job I can do, in the current job that I’m in and excelling in that role.”
Upchurch said that Putnam County is very fortunate to have resources, community support, and personnel that lend themselves to a strong school system.
