Shay Siler

Karns Elementary School
Knox County Schools
Knoxville, Tennessee
shay.siler@knoxschools.org

A focus on lifelong learning and differentiated professional development has led to success during Shay Siler’s almost five years at Karns Elementary School. Siler’s focus on streamlining instructional practices and encouraging teacher-to-teacher collaboration led to an increase in third grade reading scores from 37 percent to 40 percent in the 2017-2018 school year. Under her guidance, the schools’ robust blended preschool and pre-K programs support early literacy, leading to future success: 56 percent of Karns’ K-2 students have acquired early literacy and math skills and perform at or above the 25th percentile. Siler’s commitment to leadership extends beyond the bounds of the school. She served as a Tennessee Department of Education Leadership coach from 2012 to 2016 during the common core and state standards revisions, developing professional education resources and presenting to elementary principals across eastern Tennessee. Siler has also served as the district’s lead elementary principal since 2017, and she is rightfully proud of the unique, effective principal mentoring program she leads in the district. Seasoned and apprentice principals work together to share ideas and strategies to strengthen leadership practices and provide feedback for continued growth. Most recently, she became the new principal at Sequoyah Elementary School. Siler holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the College of Charleston and a Master’s degree and Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.