A local principal has been named one of the state’s top high school administrators.
Fulton High School Principal Michael Reynolds has won the University of Tennessee’s first William and Lucille Field Award for excellence in high school administration. He was recognized Thursday at a ceremony at Knoxville’s Club Leconte.
The award is named for the late principal who worked 29 years at Carthage and Columbia, Tenn., high schools and his wife who was his secretary for 21 years.
Cynthia Norris, associate professor of educational administration in UT’s College of Education, said a panel of UT faculty, graduate students and Tennessee Association of Secondary School Principals representatives chose Reynolds.
Norris said the award is funded through an endowment from the Fields’ daughter, Joy Field Glass and her husband J. Arnold Glass.
It is one of the state’s most prestigious honors for high school principals, she said.
“The Field Award recognizes a Tennessee secondary school principal whose life and work are characterized by leadership excellence,” Norris said.
“Michael Reynolds embodies those values that support leadership excellence. We are proud to make him the recipient of UT’s first Field award.”
Reynolds, a native of Alamo, Tenn., and 1980 UT graduate, begins his eighth year at Fulton this fall and his fourth as principal.
He oversaw the school’s recent $17 million renovation and helped revive the school’s “Castle on the Hill” motto. His emphasis on teamwork has helped galvanize staff, faculty, students and administrators for Fulton’s 50th anniversary this year.
Reynolds also taught for five years at Knoxville’s Farragut High School and six years at Catholic High School.