Lauren Moore Named School Director of Emerald Academy
Graduate of Columbia University and Carson-Newman University to Lead Knoxville’s First Public Charter School
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Emerald Charter Schools has named Lauren Moore as permanent school director of Emerald Academy.
Moore, who has been serving as interim director since July, has been with the school since its first year of operation. A native of Knoxville, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Carson-Newman University and then attended Columbia University’s Teachers College to earn her master’s degree as a Literacy Specialist. She is slated to graduate from the University of Tennessee’s VOLSLead program in May with a master’s in educational administration.
“Lauren has demonstrated over and over again that she has the capacity, will and skill to serve in this role,” said Emerald Charter Schools President Steve Diggs. “Having visited with charter school operators from all over the country, there is something truly special and unique to the DNA and calling of a charter school leader. Lauren has that quality, and under her leadership, Emerald Academy is changing the lives of children and families in our city.”
Before joining Emerald Academy, Moore taught in Knox County for seven years serving at Fair Garden Family and Community Center as well as Ritta Elementary School. She is married to Thomas Moore, and together they attend Freedom Fellowship Christian Church.
“I am honored to have been named the permanent school director and this is truly my dream job,” said Moore. “I am encouraged by the progress we have made in just five years of the school’s existence, and I am thrilled to continue to encourage scholars to meet their academic goals toward becoming college bound leaders.”
This news was also well received by the school community at large, including parents.
“As a parent, I am thrilled to learn that Director Moore has been named the permanent school director,” said Nicole Lattimore, parent of a first-grade scholar. “She has developed a high level of trust from both parents and scholars alike. She is visible to the community, in the car line, and I can’t think of a more deserving candidate who will come alongside parents and work each day to help more children become college bound leaders.”
Emerald Academy is a free, public school and is available to any student in Knox County who wishes to apply. Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year is available at ww.emeraldacademy.org through March 27 at 5 p.m.
The Knox County Board of Education approved a proposal from Emerald Charter Schools in 2014 to launch Emerald Academy, which is home to approximately 500 scholars from kindergarten through eighth grade.
Moore succeeds Renee Kelly who returned to Knox County Schools in July to become chief of staff.
About Emerald Academy & Emerald Charter Schools
Emerald Academy is a free, independently-operated, K-8 college preparatory school launched by Emerald Charter Schools. Located in the historic Moses School Building at 220 Carrick Street in Old Mechanicsville, Emerald Academy’s mission is to grow scholars into leaders by creating the best learning culture for city students to develop the skills, habits, and values for success in high school, college and life. Supporting opportunities are available. For more information about the school and how to become involved, visit www.emeraldacademy.org.
Founded in 2014, Emerald Charter Schools is a non-sectarian, 501(c)(3) organization that operates Emerald Academy. Learn more at www.emeraldcharterschools.org.