Principal
I am married to Melanie Hodge, a Junior and Senior AP English teacher at Jefferson County High School. We have two daughters- Farrah Greer (Ian) and Chloe Jurek (Bryson). Ian is a Captain in the U.S. Army. Farrah and Ian currently live in Clarksville where Farrah teaches AP history at Northwest High School. In 2022, Farrah and Ian blessed us with our first grandchild, Poppy. Chloe and Bryson also teach at Jefferson County High School where Chloe teaches AP biology and directs the senior play. Bryson teaches AP World History and coaches both the boy’s and girl’s golf teams.
I was born and raised in Jefferson County and graduated from Jefferson County High School in 1978. I have degrees from the University of Tennessee (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Carson-Newman University (Master of Arts in Teaching), and Lincoln Memorial University (Specialist in Education).
My teaching experience includes both middle school students and high school students. I began my teaching career at Cosby School in 1994. I then taught at White Pine Elementary from 1995-2000. In August 2000, I moved to Maury Middle where I served as assistant principal and then principal from 2001-2007. I then helped develop the Coordinated School Health program for Jefferson County before returning to White Pine School as assistant principal from 2012-2019. In 2019, I was selected to be the principal of Dandridge Elementary School.
In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family, read, and since 2001 I have worked with the many faculty and staff members to produce the annual Senior Play at JCHS.
I believe every child can learn and it is my honor to work with the dedicated faculty and staff at Dandridge Elementary. It is our responsibility as adults to work together and give our children the absolute best chance to achieve success. If I can ever help in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me either by calling the school or through my email.
Assistant Principal
For the past twenty-four years I have been blessed to work for Jefferson County Schools. Jefferson Elementary School was my home for twelve years where I taught second and fourth grades. Twelve years ago I made the change to administration and found a new home at Dandridge Elementary School where I first worked with Tommy Arnold and now with Jim Hodge. Working with our students, faculty, and staff is something I look forward to each and every day!
Dandridge is a long way from the island of Okinawa where I graduated from Kubasaki High School. I attended Carson-Newman College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Tennessee. Life as an Air Force wife, the birth of three boys in two different states and one in Germany, eventually led to retirement from the Air Force and our family making East Tennessee home. After teaching for several years, I returned to school and received my Master of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.
My husband and I have three grown sons, two daughters-in-law, two grandsons, and one granddaughter. Our sons are graduates of Jefferson County High School. Our oldest is an attorney in Atlanta, our middle son is an Air Force officer stationed in Dayton, Ohio, and our youngest is a Space Force Officer stationed in Colorado Springs. When I’m not at school I like to read, play the piano, garden in my raised beds, and watch basketball, baseball, and football games. Spending time with our grandchildren is always a highlight!
Feel free to contact me at mellis@jcboe.net if I can help you in any way!