Published May 1, 2017 at 4:21 p.m. 

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Dr. Jim Wernke has been named interim principal of Ross N. Robinson Middle School, effective July 1, 2017.  Dr. Wernke, who presently serves as assistant principal at Robinson, will assume the role of principal for the 2017-18 school year in the absence of current Robinson Principal Mr. Brian Partin, who will take a leave-of-absence to serve a one-year term as president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).  Dr. Kelli Seymour, current Robinson associate principal, has been named interim assistant principal for the 2017-18 school year.

“Dr. Wernke and Dr. Seymour have demonstrated tremendous leadership abilities during their tenure as Robinson administrators and I am confident they will continue that success in these interim roles,” said KCS Superintendent Dr. Lyle Ailshie.  “I am excited they will continue to lead the great work taking place at Robinson while Mr. Partin serves in this exciting national role with NAESP.”

Prior to his current assignment, Dr. Wernke served as an associate principal at John Sevier Middle School, taught at QSI Quality Schools International (Shekou, China), Roosevelt Elementary, Johnson Elementary, and Adams Elementary.  He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Lincoln Memorial University, a Master’s degree in grades K-6 education from Milligan College, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from East Tennessee State University.  In addition, Dr. Wernke is a fellow in the 2017 cohort of the Governor’s Academy of School Leadership (GASL).

“I appreciate this opportunity to serve in a new role at Robinson,” said Wernke.  “Robinson is blessed to have a highly effective, committed group of educators and an excellent student body.  Dr. Seymour and I will do our best to lead and encourage Robinson students, staff, and faculty during the 2017-18 school year to continue their pursuit of excellence in every endeavor.”

Prior to Dr. Seymour’s current assignment, she was a teacher with Hamblen County Schools and Johnson City Schools, and also served as a Reward School Ambassador for the Tennessee Department of Education.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Carson-Newman College, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Carson-Newman College, an Education Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University, and a Doctor of Education in Assessment, Learning, and School Improvement from Middle Tennessee State University.

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice and an alternative learning program; with total enrollment over 7,500 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to be, Student Focused … World Class.

KCS has been named the top school district in Tennessee as winner of the 2014 SCORE Prize District Award by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) and has earned the 2014 Achievement Award in the annual Excellence in Tennessee Recognition Program by the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE).

For more information on KCS, visit k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, read our blog, We Are KCS, or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Twitter (@KCS_District) and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools).

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