Hale receives superintendent award
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In making the presentation, Johnny Cordell, Sequatchie County superintendent, lauded Hale’s dedication to his job and the positive effect he has had on the local education system.
Cordell explained the award and its significance. There are nine regions in the state, including the Upper Cumberland, which has a total of 21 school systems. Superintendents from all these systems vote and choose a representative to go on to the state level.
‘Each year when the superintendents meet in September, we elect a state superintendent,’ Cordell said. ‘But to get to that point, we’ve got to have some finalists. So we have nine finalists. Dr. Hale is one of those, and is very deserving.’
‘He received his doctorate from Vanderbilt,’ Cordell continued. ‘He has done a lot of things here, and I’m not going to go through all of them, but I wanted to look at some of these and one of them is TSBA Award of Excellence for five programs initiated here in the past few years.’
Cordell also commented on the solid standing of the local school system under Hale’s tutelage.
‘All of your schools, to your credit, are all accredited at the state department of the SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools),’ Cordell said.
Cordell mentioned some of Hale’s other educational activities, and on a more personal level, had some good things to say about his work ethic and reputation as an educator in the region.
‘He also teaches at the university level,’ Cordell said, ‘when he finds the time to do that, and I know his job keeps him very busy.
‘I’ve known him for several years, and one thing I know is he is a gentleman. He’s a class act, and I know he cares about kids. He’s not bombastic, he’s not overbearing. Any time we have meetings and he’s got a point to make, he’s always very articulate, and he uses very good reason and logic to get his point across.’
Cordell said Hale received the honor on the merits of his job performance.
‘This was not a popularity contest,’ Cordell said. ‘He was selected by his peers, and it helps to be well-liked, and he is, but he was also selected on his other merits, because superintendents know what goes on in other counties, and they like what they see here in Warren County with Dr. Hale and the board here. So you have a lot to be proud of, and not only Dr. Hale. He represents your school board through the surrounding area and also the community. And the Upper Cumberland is one of the largest districts in the state, particularly if you talk about the number of counties.’
Cordell concluded with a literary analogy.
‘Theodore Roosevelt wrote a book a long time ago called, ‘A Man in the Arena,’ Cordell said. ‘Basically talking about our struggles in life. He said it’s a whole lot better to compete, whether you win or lose, than to sit on the sideline and complain. And I think Dr. Hale would certainly be considered the man in the arena.’
The winner of the state competition will be announced Sept. 16 at a state education banquet in Pigeon Forge. Should Hale be selected the winner, he will advance to the national competition held by the American Association of School Administrators.
But however he does on the state level, Hale says he was honored to be chosen by his peers.
‘It’s a very nice award,’ Hale said, ‘and I was very pleased to receive it, especially when you’re picked by your colleagues. But as far as the state competition, I feel like we’ve done a lot of good things here in Warren County in the last year, and I’ve tried to stay up to date professionally in what I do, so I feel we’ve done as well here as anywhere else.’