Catherine Stephens didn’t plan a career as a superintendent — it developed naturally, like a story she was meant to live. Early in the mornings, one could find her in the classroom, her smile growing as she watched students grasp and apply new concepts. The energy of the room fed her own. Over time, she felt a pull to break glass ceilings and push her career in education further.
“As educators, our service is to children. Our commitment is to championing them and making a life-changing impact,” she said. “That happens in every position in education.”
Her rise from classroom teacher to district leader helped her realize the powerful ripple effect of leading with heart.
“As I evolved, I realized school leaders set the tone and make schools feel rich, warm, and positive — or not,” she said.
In her fifth year as superintendent, Stephens championed several initiatives to elevate student voices and expand learning opportunities. One initiative is the student advisory groups she established in middle and high schools.
She listens to these groups and encourages discussions on how leadership can better support students through career advising, unique opportunities, or academic or mental health resources.
“We discuss everything from academic successes to challenges they face, which aren’t always school-related,” she said. “We’ve had meaningful conversations about social media and how it affects them.”
For Stephens, it’s essential that students see the impact of their voices in leadership decisions. The advisory groups have influenced decisions such as field trips to universities tailored to students’ interests.
Her efforts to engage students are part of her broader vision for every student to thrive, not only academically but also artistically, athletically, socially, and emotionally.
Another initiative under Stephens’ leadership is the Tullahoma Virtual Academy, now in its fourth year. This academy caters to students who excel outside traditional classroom settings. Initially focused on high school students, it has expanded to middle school and provides a flexible learning environment for those who need it.
For students who balance work or face challenges in a conventional setting, the virtual academy offers a path to success on their own terms.
Stephens’ dedication to creating well-rounded opportunities for all students stems from her own transformative experiences as a young person.
While she started as a teacher, important moments led her toward leadership, which she equates with love. One defining experience came during her time as an assistant superintendent in Franklin Special District, where she led the district’s strategic planning process.
Her director of schools recognized her potential and encouraged her to take the lead, perhaps before she fully realized her own capacity. This mentorship helped her understand the importance of leadership and its influence on the community.
Serving as assistant superintendent, she said, allowed her to “engage with various groups — staff, parents, and community members — and facilitate collaborative discussions.” It was then she realized she was ready to lead as a superintendent herself and bring people together to work toward common goals.
Stephens’ family has been heavily involved in her educational journey. Her husband of more than 34 years and their two daughters have supported her every step of the way, whether she was grading papers or attending school events.
Her daughters, now grown, continue to inspire her with their work ethic and compassion for others, qualities she has modeled throughout her career.
“One year, I wanted to make cards for every employee, and my oldest daughter helped me. My other daughter choreographed a dance that we taught to a leadership team for an opening number,” Stephens said.
Managing personal and professional life hasn’t always been easy, especially as Stephens pursued a doctorate while raising her daughters. She reflected on the challenging decision to continue her education during their high school years, knowing it would mean sacrifices, like compromising her study time for family activities or vice versa.
But her family’s support made her academic achievements possible.
“I told them I wouldn’t pursue my doctorate without their support,” she said.
Her husband even created a makeshift office at the dining table.
“My husband has been a partner in this work, and he knows me as Catherine, his wife. That’s the title I’m most proud of — Mrs. Stephens.”
A middle school teacher once recognized Stephens’ potential and helped her see her own worth, which changed the trajectory of her life. Now, she hopes to make the same impact on others.
“If I can change one person’s life the way mine was changed, it will affect their children’s lives too,” she said.
Outside of the school system, Stephens is profoundly connected to her community.
She is involved with her church and local initiatives and believes that true leadership has a generation-spanning effect.
“We are all connected,” she said. “Our service is to children, but it impacts families, communities, and society as a whole. That’s the heart of education.”
Stephens leads with both head and heart to illustrate the power of education. Through her leadership, she enhances the future of education while inspiring the next generation to see their potential and strive for more.
“I absolutely love what I do and what we are called to do as educators. I truly believe we can impact individuals for the good for themselves, for their families, and for the future. I really hope that people see through my visibility, my passion, and my commitment to this work. I hope they see, unabashedly, that I am a student-focused leader. That’s my heart — always has been, always will be.” GN
