2020 School of Promise Award: Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy, Knox County Schools, Tennessee

Leaders from NIET, Knox County Schools, and Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy celebrate the school's 2020 NIET School of Promise Award.

Pictured from left to right: Knox County Schools Chief Academic Officer Jon Rysewyk; NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen; Knox County Schools Superintendent Bob Thomas; Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy Assistant Principal Rebecca Curtis; Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy Principal Robin Curry; Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy Assistant Principal Christopher Deal; NIET Tennessee Senior Specialist Natalie Szakacs; and Knox County Schools Elementary Education Executive Director Julie Thompson.

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen (back row, far right), joined by Knox County Schools Superintendent Bob Thomas (far left), surprise the faculty of Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy with a 2020 School of Promise Award. Displaying the award's $5,000 prize are (L-R) Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy Assistant Principal Rebecca Curtis, Sarah Moore Green Magnet Academy Principal Robin Curry, and Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy Assistant Principal Christopher Deal.

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen congratulated the team at Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy for its commitment to job-embedded learning and collaboration, which have led to student achievement growth.

"You are a school that is changing the trajectory of students," said Dr. McQueen. "You are creating the best that you can offer for student ownership. When you can get your students to verbalize their goals, you know that you've started to make some significant change." 

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen presents the 2020 NIET School of Promise Award to Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy Principal Robin Curry. The award comes with a $5,000 prize.

"You're deepening your knowledge of instructional practices that change student achievement in the classroom," Dr. McQueen said.

"I couldn't ask for a better staff," said Principal Curry. "They are amazing. They go above and beyond."

Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy Principal Robin Curry (far left) thanks her assistant principals, Rebecca Curtis and Christopher Deal (both pictured), and her entire team. "I'm honored to work with this group of teachers and coaches," she said.

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen visits with Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy educators following the surprise 2020 School of Promise Award celebration. McQueen commended them for their data-driven collaboration that has led to increased instructional skill and student achievement growth. 

Congratulations, Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy! Led by Principal Robin Curry (center), Assistant Principal Rebecca Curry (center left), and Assistant Principal Christopher Deal (center right), the campus has embraced a culture of collaboration − resulting in achievement growth for students.

NIET surprises Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy with a 2020 School of Promise Award, which comes with a $5,000 prize.

Photo courtesy of Knox County Schools

NIET surprises Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy with a 2020 School of Promise Award, which comes with a $5,000 prize.

Photo courtesy of Knox County Schools

NIET surprises Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy with a 2020 School of Promise Award, which comes with a $5,000 prize.

Photo courtesy of Knox County Schools