Recognizing Tennessee Principals That Champion School Meals Throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic
Principals across the nation work every day with one thing in their minds: the success of their students. They understand that ensuring kids have three meals a day is essential for their development. For this reason, principals have always been a critical part of ending childhood hunger in America.
Today, principals face an extraordinary set of challenges with staff shortages, burnout and the task of keeping staff and kids safe in school as the pandemic continues.
This Principal Appreciation Month, we’re highlighting several school leaders who, in the face of these immense obstacles, continue to work hand in hand with school nutrition staff and No Kid Hungry to ensure kids have the nutrition they need to learn and succeed.
Dr. Lance Mayhan
Dr. Lance Myhan, Bledsoe Middle School, Mr. Mark Mosley, Bledsoe High School & Former Principal at Pikeville Elementary, Mr. James Ellis in Pikeville – Dr. Myhan has worked hard to rearrange breakfast schedules to ensure all students get breakfast each day. What’s more – you’ll find him in the cafeteria most mornings encouraging students to go through the line and start their day with a nutritious meal. As Bledsoe High School transitioned to a second chance breakfast option in the morning, Principal, Mark Mosley helped promote the new program to the high school students, encouraging them to grab a breakfast meal and helped it become a big success. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, former principal, James Ellis helped the cafeteria staff prepare and serve meals during our virtual meal pickup times for families, which was a huge help to the school nutrition team and the community.
Dr. Tressy Halbrook, East Side Elementary School in Brownsville – Dr. Halbrook has supported the creation and continuation of the school’s Breakfast in the Classroom program. After seeing how the new program significantly increased participation rates last year, Dr. Halbrook helped the school continue the program this year.
Mrs. Cynthia Young, Cowan Elementary School in Cowan – Mrs. Young has been an amazingly supportive partner of the School Nutrition department to ensure students have access to and are participating in school meals. She has been a real champion for the whole child.
Van Buren County Schools Principals in Spencer – Dr. Donna Grissom, Mrs. Amanda Binkley, Mrs. Katina Simmons & Mr. Drew Campbell – The principals of Van Buren County Schools have been exceptional about helping to promote the school meal programs. Whether it is announcing the menu each morning or assisting with the new technology system to get students in and out of the lunch line more quickly, their leadership has helped ensure students see the importance of being well fed and ready to learn.
This month is a recognition of those leaders who are behind the scenes, making decisions to ensure all staff are safe, school meals are out the door and kids have the food they need in times of crisis and not.
As 1 in 6 kids in Tennessee could be living with hunger, we thank school principals who understand the importance of school meals.
Join us to support school principals across the state helping kids get the meals they need to be their best. Use this toolkit to celebrate the principals in your district that are making a difference.