Leading by example

In school districts across the nation, principals assume many roles to ensure that students receive a quality education.

In addition to their commitment to student excellence, principals also lend support to teachers and staff, while setting the tone for their respective schools.

In acknowledgment of the dedication of principals nationwide, May 1 was set aside as U.S. School Principals’ Day, to say thank you for all they do.

“You cannot have successful schools without competent principals,” said Trousdale County Director of Schools Clint Satterfield. “When schools are successful, most of the time it’s because they have really good principals. The principal is paramount to the success of a school.

“By law, principals are in charge of the total operation of the school. They manage school safety plans, they manage extra-curricular activities, and they manage all of the staffing of the school. The principalship is very dynamic, and there aren’t a lot of people who can do that kind of juggling act.”

Under the leadership of Trousdale County principals Demetrice Badru, J. Brim McCal, and Casey Kuhn, the school district has experienced positive growth and success at many levels.

“Our principals do so much,” said Satterfield. “In 2022-23, the middle school and high school were Reward Schools, and in 2021-22, all three of our schools were Reward Schools. For the last two years, we’ve been an Exemplary District because of the success of our schools. There is not another K-12 school district in Tennessee that has had back to back Exemplary District years. That has a lot to do with the leadership of our three principals.”

Jim B. Satterfield Middle School Principal J. Brim McCall has served as the middle school principal for 10 years. He says that serving the community is his passion.

“I love supporting my community and giving back by being a servant leader,” said McCall.

“You spend so much time at work throughout your lifetime, so you have to find your passion. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t get up ready to go to work because I love what I do.”

Trousdale County High School Principal Casey Kuhn took the position at the high school two years ago. With a commitment to lead his students to success, he believes that a good leader should lead by example.

“Good leaders get in the trenches with everybody,” said Kuhn. “They walk with them, not in front of them. I really can’t take credit for a lot of the successes because they are a reflection of all the hard work that the teachers and students put in each day. I hope that I can continue the great successes and traditions that were established before me, and hope to make an impact on each and every student individually.”

Trousdale County Elementary School Principal Demetrice Badru has been at the helm of the elementary school for nine years. As principal, she considers it a great privilege to invest in children.

“Every day we give our very best — we don’t leave anything on the table,” said Badru. “Every day is an opportunity for us to invest in our kids. I had people who poured into me, and, now, I need to pour into our future. That is a privilege that I don’t take lightly.”

Satterfield commended the principals on a job well done and said that good principals are the key to good schools.

“You don’t have good schools without good principals,” said Satterfield. “And our three principals have done very well for our district.”