The Tennessee Department of Education is steaming ahead with Jonathan Criswell at the throttle as the newly appointed Chief Program Officer. In an announcement made earlier this week, the department has confirmed that Criswell will oversee core programming within the department, aiming his expertise at a suite of key areas that include school improvement and student assessment.
Criswell's promotion draws from a lauded tenure as Director of Schools for Milan Special School District, an experience, which Assistant Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds believes will bring significant benefits to Tennessee's educational landscape. "Jonathan Criswell’s leadership at Milan Special School District has led to strong opportunities to accelerate student achievement and outcomes, and we are thrilled to add his wealth of knowledge and expertise to our department leadership team," said Reynolds. That expertise is expected to fortify the department's pursuit of enhancing education state-wide.
The trajectory of Criswell's career has been sharply upward since starting out as a computer and business education teacher. With administrative credits that span across elementary, middle, and high school settings, Criswell has cemented his reputation as a purveyor of educational growth. His most recent work securing the Tennessee Best for All District distinction for Milan Special School District in 2022 evidently made him a choice selection for his new role.
"I am honored to join Commissioner Reynolds and the outstanding team at the Tennessee Department of Education," Criswell himself noted. Known for his development of a robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) program and the district's acclaim as a "Reading 360 Model District," Criswell’s tactical planning in laying out foundational reading skills has been widely acknowledged. Special initiatives, including TN ALL Corps, has, further showcases the district's commitment to educational innovation.
For further information on Tennessee's education programming or Criswell's educational strategies, the Department of Education provides resources available to the public. Details on assessment, accountability, and school choice are outlined on the department's official website through various information pages.
