Principals Appreciation Month: Principal Cass

Chattanooga, TN-- In celebration of Principals Appreciation Month, we proudly recognize Principal Angie Cass, an inspiring leader at Soddy Daisy High School (SDHS) who has devoted 27 years to Hamilton County Schools. Since becoming principal at Soddy Daisy in 2021, Cass has been dedicated to fostering a safe and nurturing environment for both students and staff.

Cass began her educational journey at UT Chattanooga, earning her undergraduate degree, then went on to obtain a Master’s from Tusculum and an Ed.S. from Tennessee Tech.

After four years as an Assistant Principal at Soddy Daisy, Cass went on to serve as principal at East Ridge Middle School and Ooltewah High School, before eagerly applying for the principal position at Soddy Daisy High School. “There’s something about this place that I fell in love with,” she said. “There was nowhere else I wanted to be.”

Now in her fourth year at SDHS, Cass is focused on enhancing the school's culture, climate, academics, and safety. “My number one goal is to make this a safe and loving place where people can come and be happy,” she said. Cass has assembled a committed safety team to implement measures that ensure a secure environment for all. Her proactive safety measures demonstrate her belief that every student, staff, and family member deserves to feel safe while at SDHS.

Cass describes herself as “the mom of the school,” placing love and support at the forefront of her leadership. A canvas on her office wall reads, “Let all that you do be done in love,” which serves as her guiding principle. “I think the purpose of every human being is to realize whatever talent or gift you've been given and to use that to make the world a better place,” she said. Cass also values the affectionate spirit of the Soddy Daisy community. Her office is filled with notes and memories that showcase her strong connections with the students and staff.

Cass believes in celebrating community milestones, such as last year’s recognition as a Reward School, which featured a lively celebration complete with food, games, music, and more. “We celebrated all of our accomplishments. We worked so hard and then saw it all come to fruition. It was a time with a lot of happiness and satisfaction.”

One of her greatest joys is witnessing students realize their dreams, particularly during their senior year as they plan for the future. “Seeing the hope and glimmer in their eyes… it gets me fired up,” she said. Whether guiding students toward college, technical programs, or workforce opportunities, she takes immense pride in their successes, including recently celebrating two National Merit Scholar semifinalists, Emma Bramwell and Brody Holtz.

Principal Cass’s legacy at Soddy Daisy High School is characterized by her commitment to cultivating an environment of love and support. As we honor her during Principals Appreciation Month, we are reminded of the significant impact one individual can have on a whole community. Thank you, Principal Cass, for everything you do!