(Chattanooga, TN) Hamilton County Schools congratulates employees, Dr. Olivia Bagby, Director of Future Ready Students, and Arielle Hayes, University High Principal, who have been accepted into the Leadership Chattanooga class of 2024. Hayes was additionally recognized in Chattanooga Times Free Press 2023, “20 Under 40.”
Every year the Chattanooga Times Free Press selects 20 individuals under the age of 40 who are revolutionizing the workforce, and leading the way as the best and brightest professionals in the area. This year Arielle Hayes, Principal at University High, an HCS program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, was selected for this impressive recognition.
Shortly after graduating and moving to Chattanooga, she was hired by Dr. Jill Levine at Normal Park Elementary, where she taught eighth grade social studies. She eventually became assistant principal at Normal Park before moving to an assistant principal position at Orchard Knob, and finally becoming a principal at Dalewood Middle School, all before turning 32. After a short break and moving back to assistant principal of East Hamilton Middle, and then CCA, she accepted the position as the Principal of University High
“I love Schools, and I love kids, but I think there is that element of ‘We need to do things differently.’ We have to do school differently, for different kids.” Hayes shared that being Principal of University High presents her with many wonderful opportunities and combines two of the things she is passionate about, kids and the community.
Not only is Hayes a dedicated educator, but she is a shining light in the community as well. Jumping into what the city of Chattanooga had to offer, she joined organizations that spoke to her many different passions. While doing AP work for East Brainerd, she became the VP of programs for the East Brainerd Council for the Chattanooga Chamber. She also joined a committee with Habitat for Humanity’s annual fundraiser for Women Build, which raises money to build homes for women in need in the City of Chattanooga. She was invited to join The Links Incorporated, an international women's organization. She also became a board member for Latina Professional, which supports Latina Women in the community with networking and other professional endeavors. Most recently, she was accepted in the Chattanooga Chamber Leadership 2.0.
Leadership 2.0 is a leadership-development and civic engagement program for greater Chattanooga professionals. Starting in August, those who are accepted meet once a month to advance leadership development and brainstorm ways to contribute to Chattanooga's success.
Hamilton County Schools Future Ready Students Director Dr. Olivia Bagby has also recently been accepted into this prestigious program. Despite not being a Chattanooga native, she has been able to see the district as a whole rather than just one classroom through her years at central office. Finding that all businesses want to help education, but lack the communication to properly advocate, she is hoping that through this opportunity with Leadership Chattanooga, she can bridge the gap between both education and business.
She elaborated on how excited she is for the opportunity to get students out into the community through work based learning and internships that can be expanded through her networking. She spoke about how she was thrilled to get to work with both locals and HCS. Uniting the vision of Leadership 2.0 with the goals of Opportunity 2030, she hopes to combine resources to provide the very best for our students. “We want all students to find their career by choice, not by chance.”
As apart of Hamilton County Schools commitment to ensure ‘every employee valued,’ we look forward to supporting Dr. Olivia Bagby and Arielle Hayes as they continue with their work in Leadership Chattanooga 2.0.