Mathis is New McKenzie Middle School Assistant Principal

McKENZIE (July 24) — Beth Mathis is the new McKenzie Middle School assistant principal, the district announced Thursday.

Mathis is a 2001 graduate of McKenzie High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2005 and her Masters in Instructional Leadership from Bethel University in 2012. She also holds a Special Education add-on endorsement from Austin Peay State University.

A 20-year educator, Mathis got her start in her hometown, teaching one year at McKenzie Middle School. She then relocated to Murfreesboro and taught for several years at LaVergne Middle School.

She returned to west Tennessee to teach at Dresden Middle School from 2010-2015 before circling back to MMS. In 2021, she moved up to the high school, where she taught algebra. Last year, she served as the MHS math interventionist.

Mathis has also been the high school cross-country coach, a role she will continue this season.

She told The Banner, “I feel like Josh [Kee, the new MMS principal] will be a great leader and mentor, so I’m excited to learn from him. The majority of my experience has been in middle school, so I feel at home. I’m passionate and motivated to make our schools the best they can be.”

McKenzie Director of Schools Dr. Justin Barden said, “Mrs. Mathis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, and her passion for student learning and supporting teachers in the classroom will be evident immediately as she serves in the role.”

Mathis lives in McKenzie with her husband, Jason, and their children, Sami and Lane.