The administration of White House High School has announced Kyle Gilliland as an assistant principal and the newest member of the WHHS staff for the 2020-21 academic year.
An 18-year veteran of the classroom in education in Sumner County at Gallatin High School and Station Camp High School, Gilliland will serve in his first administrative role. The Goodlettsville resident, with his wife, Christi, and daughters, Elena (16) and Annelyse (15), was also once a resident of White House from 2003-17.
He will start this summer to prepare for the academic year with principal Ann Miller and assistant principal Lynne Hall. WHHS Assistant Principal Kyle Craighead accepted a position at the Sumner County Schools central office.
“This was an opportunity I could not pass up,” Gilliland said. “As someone who witnessed the school spirit and community support for this school, I am thrilled to be a member of this community again. Not only has the administration been warm and welcoming, but the other coaches, teachers and educational leaders at WHHS have made me feel immediately supported and valued.”
Gilliland is a Sumner County native and graduate of Beech High School. Beginning his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee, he transferred to and graduated from MTSU with a bachelor’s in English and completed his teacher licensure at Lipscomb University. He completed his master’s in educational leadership from the University of Tennessee-Martin.
He taught one year at Gallatin and then spent the last 17 at Station Camp, teaching English II for inclusion and honors and developing a mythology curriculum. He has served as a head coach and assistant coach for softball, assistant athletic director and substitute administrator. He has been married to Christi for 17 years and she is the World Languages Curriculum Specialist for Williamson County Schools.
He still loves the Tennessee Vols, getting outside and walking the dog, kayaking, and he calls himself a better cook than a guitar player. Most of all, he is thrilled to be back in White House in a new capacity.
“Kyle is going to be an amazing addition to our family, and we are looking forward to working with him to support our students, faculty and community members,” said Principal Miller. “He brings a unique instructional lens that will grow our students.”
“Bringing on new team members is exciting, and we are looking forward to expanding our team,” she continued. “We want to support him in his new role here and make this transition seamless.”
Hall joined the administrative team prior to the 2019-2020 school year with the retirement of Debbie Richardson. As she stepped in from the classroom to her new opportunity, she is also excited to see the same things ahead for her new colleague.
“He has an excellent track record in instruction,” Hall said. “He will be a great asset to White House High School, and he is focused on what is best for kids and a desire to help others.”
“I look forward to seeing him develop relationships and then rely on the wonderful teachers and staff that we have at White House High School when he has questions and needs help. We look forward to having him as a part of our leadership team.”
The educational family in Sumner County is strong, and the tradition of pride and excellence in education, athletics and community support is no surprise to Gilliland as he returns to the White House community. There is no greater explanation for this value than Blue Devil Pride.
“From coaching softball against Coach Cindy Towers to seeing Highway 76 packed with cars supporting the WH script logo, I am very familiar with the phrase BDP and what it means,” Gilliland said. “It’s a term of unity and success, but most of all it’s a phrase that sets a high standard of expectations.
“This school and the surrounding community have high expectations for all who live here, and I am excited to help WHHS live to up, and even surpass these expectations.”
One of the keys to transitioning into the new role was understanding the excellent work by Mr. Craighead as a part of the WHHS administrative team. This respect is a critical piece of how Gilliland will prepare for the upcoming year.
“With the help of Mr. Craighead, I hope to continue the work he started as a key instructional leader in a building full of absolutely talented, hard-working, successful teachers,” Gilliland explained. “With my background in ensuring learning for all students, I hope I can support the efforts of the classroom teachers in all subject areas, while continuing to reinforce Mrs. Miller’s vision for student achievement.”
As Craighead transitions to his role with the county, the administration of White House High School also recognized his impact and partnership as a Blue Devil.
“Kyle Craighead will always be a member of our White House family and a dear friend of mine,” Miller said. “We will miss him, but he will continue to work with our team from the district level to keep White House strong.”
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