Principal Spotlight: Mr. Jim David

Chattanooga, TN- In celebration of Principal’s Appreciation Month, we proudly recognize Principal Jim David of STEM School Chattanooga. Principal David has helped transform what was once just an idea, into a thriving, innovative educational community unique to Chattanooga.

Originally from Michigan, David’s academic career led him to Lee University in Tennessee, where he completed his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ed.S degrees. Tennessee quickly became home. “I love the South. I love the people; I love the weather. This was somewhere I really wanted to be,” David said. In 2013, just as STEM School was entering its second year, David joined the team– first as a lead teacher, “helping develop and establish what the school would come to be.” From there, David went on to be assistant principal, and now principal, continuously dedicated to the school’s mission: “To develop and share a new paradigm for world-class education using technology as a gateway to cultivate students’ inquisitive nature, exercise innovation, think critically, and collaborate to become leaders who are self-sufficient learners with the same passion as Chattanooga’s Renaissance.”

STEM School is a special place to David. “It's a place I love. I got to help build it– from just a concept and theoretical ideas to now, where kids are doing all sorts of crazy things and helping lead the way in how things like critical thinking, innovation, and collaboration can look at a high school level,” he said. For David, watching students progress over the years is powerful. “The kid that we get in 9th grade is vastly different when they leave our school,” David said. “I love watching a student grow. I love it when a kid who didn’t think they could do something overcomes. Or a kid who thought they were the greatest, smartest kid realizes there's no limit to learning. There's no limit to what you can do. It's so exciting to me. And seeing what the staff does to grow our kids. It's so powerful.” Central to David’s joy is his connection to students and staff. He prides himself on being at the front door every day to greet the students, believing that building those bonds is essential. “I love getting to laugh with the kids. And you can’t just laugh with anybody. You laugh with somebody you’ve built trust and a relationship with,” David said.

“This is the coolest school in the world,” David said with a smile. “We consistently hear, ‘I wish there was a school like this when I went through.’ We do things vastly different, and I am very, very, very proud of this place.” One of David’s main goals is to empower his staff as leaders and advocates for STEM-based education, calling them “STEMvangelists.” He encourages staff to share teaching strategies with partners and other schools. “We get a 1+1=3. Your idea + my idea = a whole new idea,” he said. David sees the importance of redefining what a high school experience can be and supports his team along the way.

David proudly looks forward to this school year– with events like the STEM Showcase and the STEM Jubilee to come. As we celebrate Principal’s Appreciation Month, it is clear that Principal Jim David’s leadership and passion for innovation continue to make STEM School a place of transformative education for both students and teachers. His dedication inspires a new generation to push boundaries and embrace limitless learning.

Thank you, Principal David!