Admin Employee Winner

2021-22 Administrative Employee of the Year:

Brian Shanahan, Assistant Principal, Rocky Top Middle

Brian received 13 nominations and each one highlighted him as a kind, caring, respectful, supportive and responsive leader. Brian embodies our district strengths and has the ability to make staff, students and families feel heard and seen, even in the most difficult situations. He is always willing to think outside of the box to ensure students are successful. Here are just a few of the many things that were shared that make Brian an amazing leader: 

• Brian works incredibly hard to make sure that our Significant Support Needs students and team are seen and heard in this building including connecting our students with the gen-ed population.

• Brian works extremely hard to cultivate relationships with students. He knows that before you can expect behavior to improve, relationships need to improve. Brian is outside playing football with students at recess, he is greeting students before school and sending them off with a smile and a joke after school.

• He speaks life, and encouragement into all that he has contact with. Not just one time, but nearly every time that I am a guest teacher at Rocky Top, Brian will take the time out of his busy schedule to come into whatever room I am a guest teacher in, and ask me how things are going, and if there is anything that he can get me or do for me.

• Brian always has the time to listen to each person. If he doesn't have the answer he will find the answer for you. If you need help with a certain situation he is always willing to support you, and provide you with what you need. His sense of humor always brings you joy and levity to situations. Brian always makes situations seem possible when they seem impossible. His expertise and insight on the situation are one of a kind.