KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Kingsport City Schools has announced its 2020 Principal, Supervisor and district-level Teachers of the Year. Heather Wolf was named Principal of the Year and Tommy Starnes was named Supervisor of the Year. Teachers of the Year include, Christa Nidiffer (grades Pre-K–4), Bethany Paupeck (grades 5–8), and Jimmy Burleson (grades 9–12).

Heather Wolf, Principal of Washington Elementary School, has been named district Principal of the Year. Counting this school year, Wolf is in her 26th year as an educator with Kingsport City Schools, with six years in her present position. Wolf has previously taught at Lincoln Elementary School and Washington Elementary School where she was named the Washington Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2009. Wolf also served as an associate principal at Adams Elementary School. Wolf serves as a board member for membership and state advocacy for the Tennessee Principals Association and in 2019, she was named the recipient of the Robert W. Frazier Meritorious Service Award for exemplary service and commitment to the Tennessee Principals Association. Wolf holds an undergraduate degree in early childhood education from Indiana University, a Master's degree in early childhood education from East Tennessee State University, and an Educational Specialist degree in administration and supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

"KCS is blessed with a cohort of strong instructional leaders," said Superintendent Dr. Jeff Moorhouse. "Mrs. Wolf has a clear vision for what instruction looks like in her school and is student focused. Her calm demeanor and even keeled approach to leadership is a gift that I admire in her. The Kingsport community is blessed to have a leader the caliber of Mrs Wolf, leading one of our schools!"

Tommy Starnes, Transportation Supervisor for Kingsport City Schools, has been named district Supervisor of the Year. Starnes has been employed with Kingsport City Schools for 13 years, with five years in his present position. He has previously served as a substitute bus driver and a full-time bus driver. Starnes is a 2014 graduate of the Pal's Business Excellence Institute. Prior to his time at KCS, Starnes spent over 20 years as a professional musician touring the country. He currently plays bass for the Benny Wilson Band. Starnes has a background in logistics from working as a road manager and driving tour buses for various groups through the years which prepared him to coordinate the 40 bus routes that KCS runs daily. 

"In my short time with KCS, this has been one of my favorite times to give an award," stated Moorhouse. "Mr. Starnes is one of the most solutions focused individuals that I have had the pleasure to work with. If there is a way to accomplish the request or responsibility of transporting students, Mr. Strarnes will get it done; in most cases it is Mr. Starnes who fills in the gap to do it. Every school leader has nothing but praise for Mr. Starnes and the transportation group he leads. He is one of the most deserving recipients of recognition that I have experienced!"

Christa Nidiffer, a 4th grade Teacher at Washington Elementary School, has been named the district winner for grades Pre-K–4. Nidiffer has a total of 25 years of teaching experience, with 21 years at Washington Elementary. She has taught mulit-age grades  2-3, multiage grades 3-5, mulitage grades 4-5, and since 2013, 4th grade. In 2002, Nidiffer was awarded the Kingsport City Schools District-Level Teacher of the Year, and in 2017 received the KCS World Class Award. She holds an undergraduate from the University of West Florida and two Master's degrees from East Tennessee State University.

"We are thrilled to see Mrs. Nidiffer honored for her commitment to all students," said Washington Elementary School Principal Heather Wolf. "For years, her willingness to serve children of Kingsport through compassion, rich instruction, and a collaborative relationship with families has impacted a great number of children.  We are fortunate to have her as part of our teaching team at GWES and as the lead mentor for our early career teachers.  I am thankful to have had her educate my own children and those under our care at Washington."  

Bethany Paupeck, a 5th grade Math and Science Teacher at Kennedy Elementary School, has been named the district winner for grades 5–8. Paupeck has a total of 14 years teaching experience, with seven years in her present position. She previously worked for Saint Lucie County Schools in Florida where she received the Instructional Leader of the Month (2009) and the Excellence in Teaching Award for State Test Scores (2006-2013). While at KCS, Paupeck was the recipient of the Kennedy Elementary P.A.C.K. Award (2019). She holds a degree from Georgia Southern University.

"Ms. Paupeck is an exemplary teacher," said Kennedy Elementary School Principal Dr. Janice Irvin. "As a KCS Math Teacher Leader for the past several years she has collaborated with teachers and Instructional Design Specialists across our district.  Her drive to improve her practices and her understanding of curriculum make her an outstanding teacher.  With a classroom characterized by hard work, strong relationships, and a commitment to excellence, Kennedy Elementary School is proud to have Ms. Paupeck receive this system-wide award."  

Jimmy Burleson, a 9-12 Special Education Teacher at Dobyns-Bennett High School, has been named the district winner for grades 9-12. In addition to teaching Functional Academics (Level 2) in a Specialized Learning Environment, Burleson is also the Dobyns-Bennett Assistant Athletic Director and Tribe Games Coordinator. Burleson has a total of nine years of teaching experience, with eight years at Dobyns-Bennett. Prior to Dobyns-Bennett, Burleson worked at Jackson Elementary School. In 2017, he was awarded the Kingsport City Schools School-Level Teacher of the Year and in the same year, received the KCS Student Focused Award. In 2019, he was named the ETSU - Clemmer College of Education - Outstanding Mentor Teacher. He holds a degree from East Tennessee State University where he graduated as Magna Cum Laude. 

In addition to the three district winners, 2020 individual school winners are:

Grades Pre-K–4

• Sophie Doty, Palmer Center
• Amy Caldwell, Adams Elementary School
• Rebecca Mann, Jefferson Elementary School
• Patricia Seabolt, Lincoln Elementary School
• Kathryn Bennett, Roosevelt Elementary School
• Christa Nidiffer, Washington Elementary School

Grades 5–8

• Ashley Page, Jackson Elementary School
• Hilliary Laughlin, Johnson Elementary School
• Bethany Paupeck, Kennedy Elementary School
• Jennifer Margeson, Robinson Middle School
• Carrie Warner, Robinson Middle School 
• Kathleen Donnellan, Sevier Middle School
• Hunter Hilton, Sevier Middle School

Grades 9–12

• Jimmy Burleson, Dobyns-Bennett High School
• Angela Conrad, Dobyns-Bennett High School
• Bryan Kerns, Dobyns-Bennett High School
• Evie Lafollette, Dobyns-Bennett High School
• Brandon Reed, Dobyns-Bennett High School
• Ben Robertson, Dobyns-Bennett High School
• Amanda Dunham, D-B EXCEL

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 7,600 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to Inspire. Cultivate. Impact.