Whitney Yoes (Submitted photo)
Shelbyville – Bedford County Superintendent of Schools Tammy Garrett is pleased to announce that Whitney Yoes has been named principal of Cartwright Elementary School, a pre-k – 5th elementary school currently under construction and scheduled to open in the fall of 2024.
“Mrs. Yoes has done an amazing job leading Community Elementary for eight years and shaping it into one of our top-achieving elementary schools in the system,” commented Garrett. “Staffing and opening a new school is a big job, but I have no doubt that Mrs. Yoes is up to the task and will do incredible work.”
Prior to becoming principal at Community Elementary, Yoes served as assistant principal for five years and taught math at the middle school level for 19 years before that. She earned her Master of Education in Administration and Supervision and her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Middle Tennessee State University after graduating from Shelbyville Central High School. Yoes minored in computer science and states that technology is a passion for her.
“I want to see technology integrated even more into students’ curriculum as well as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities for all grade levels,” stated Yoes. “Kids need to learn how to use Excel and to develop projects in Canva or other online platforms. With laptops provided in the classrooms, the possibilities are just endless!”
Yoes says this new opportunity to lead Cartwright Elementary has sparked the same excitement she felt the first day she became principal at Community.
“The honor of being the person to lead the merging of students, faculty, staff and parents into one, new building is a blessing and a privilege I don’t take lightly. It’s exciting to imagine all of us walking the hallways and creating new traditions. School should be fun and exciting while maintaining academic excellence,” said Yoes.
Yoes says that while school is a family, it is also a business, believing that trust is a key factor in holding others accountable while keeping students at the forefront of decision making. She further shared that while growing up she attended church with the Cartwright family and feels honored to carry on their legacy at this new school named after the family from which the land was purchased.
“I am beyond grateful for the support I received at Community Elementary and for all the memories, relationships and experiences gained there over 14 years. I am looking forward to this new journey at Cartwright Elementary and to growing teacher and student leaders through knowledge of strengths and weaknesses as well as love and support. We will work together as a team – faculty, staff and parents – to achieve maximum success for our students.”
Replacing Yoes at Community Elementary will be Colt Boyce, who has been serving as assistant principal for over two years. Prior to being named assistant principal, Boyce was an elementary
Colt Boyce (submitted photo)
teacher for five years and served as a BCS School Age Care Program employee and site director before that. Boyce earned his master’s degree in library science and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership after graduating from Community High School. Rounding out this professional experience and education, Boyce was selected as Bedford County School’s 2022-2023 Assistant Principal of the Year by his colleagues.
“My experiences to date have highlighted the significance of vision, shared leadership and the empowerment of those around you,” commented Boyce. “And while we can’t control everything for our students, we can play a significant role in shaping what transpires during those seven hours a day we are with them. My ‘why’ is simple: I aspire to leave behind a legacy of positive leadership and be remembered as someone who made a profound difference in the lives of those around me.”
Boyce says that he feels called to be in education and that while the career has its unique challenges, he feels it also allows for a building of wealth and fortune that very few get to experience and appreciate.
“I have come to understand that when you embrace your calling, the rest falls into place. Trust the journey, fasten your seatbelt and savor the ride,” said Boyce.
Cartwright Elementary School, located at 1753 Fairfield Pike in Shelbyville, will house 800 students and have 40 classrooms. The mascot will be the colts and school colors will be navy and teal.
This press release was provided by Carol Garrette, Communications Director for Bedford County Schools, 500 Madison St. in Shelbyville.
