Nolan Elementary principal Ken Barker was tapped as the principal of Nolan Elementary while it was still on the drawing board. From the details of the building to the staffing of each classroom, Ken Barker's attention to detail has established Nolan Elementary as a new standard of excellence in both school facilities and academic success.

Early in his career, Mr. Barker was a teacher and a high school football coach. Before coming to Nolan he was the principal of our sister elementary school, Thrasher Elementary, for six years. During his tenure at Thrasher, he elevated the school's performance to place consistently amongst the top elementary schools in Eastern Tennessee.

Mr. Barker is a 35+ year veteran of the Hamilton County School System and has spent over 20 years in administration. In 2005, the Hamilton County Council of PTAs chose Mr. Barker as Principal of the Year. In 2004, he was chosen as one of only six finalists for Tennessee Principal of the Year. He was also named Outstanding Elementary Principal for the 1994-1995 school year by the Tennessee Congress of Parents and Teachers.

In 2004, the Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) selected Nolan Elementary as one of only six Tennessee schools to serve as an example to all schools seeking excellence in education. Teachers and other guests visited Nolan to study its practices in an attempt to tackle education reform and improvement. Read more by clicking here.

Read Principal Barker's latest parent newsletteror E-mail Ken Barker

Joy Plank, Office Secretary at Nolan, is the friendly and helpful voice you hear on the phone when you call. Joy has been with Nolan since it opened. She worked at Thrasher Elementary prior to Nolan's opening, and at Bachman before that. Joy supports the teachers, works with parents and enjoys the children as well. She has a husband, David, three daughters, and six grandchildren. Joy is a wonderful asset to our Nolan Staff.

Bernie Johnson is a friendly face in the Nolan main office. She assists with countless duties, like answering the phones, checking in and out students, dispensing medication, handing out band aids, as well as being lunchroom monitor. Bernie always has a smile and will help in any way she can to assure your child has a wonderful experience, as well as their parents at Nolan. Bernie has been a wonderful asset to our Nolan Staff since 2001.

Susie Givens manages the cafeteria at Nolan. She makes sure our wellness plan is followed by serving healthy foods. She has a husband, Taylor, three sons and five grandchildren. Susie invites parents to come by and have lunch with their child. It makes it really nice when parents call ahead or send a note with their child to the teacher letting the cafeteria know. Come by to try it out! The food is always excellent and the price is very fair.

Roxanne Dyer, head custodian, is the reason our school stays so beautiful and clean. Often you will find her cleaning a teacher's aquarium or addressing the needs of our classroom pets such as guinea pigs, gerbils, etc. She also helps in the office and lunchroom. She is so pleasant, always has a smile and a solution to any of our school problems. She worked 18 years at Thrasher Elementary. This is her 3rd year at Nolan. She has a Husband, Gary, 2 boys, and 3 grandchildren with another one on the way. She enjoys fish, aquariums, and any kind of animal. For entertainment she & her family go 4-wheeling! She is looking forward to retirement - 9 years from now. E-Mail Roxanne Dyer.

Frank Gregory, custodian, helps in keeping our school beautiful and clean. Does anyone remember the garden the first grade had last year? Just ask Frank! (Not giving away his secrets) Frank watered it with Miracle Grow for them. Frank also searches and destroys the pests and wasps around the school. He was a professional painter for 25 years before coming to Nolan. Our facility has enjoyed the fruits of his handiwork. He enjoys fishing, students baseball, basketball and football games. He likes EVERYTHING about his job at Nolan. Just ask the children; they know and like Frank too!

Nancie Bailey has been Nolan's bookkeeper since the beginning and also manages our school bookstore. Mondays and Thursdays are her normal Nolan days with the rest of the week split between Thrasher and Alpine Crest. Nancie and her husband Jimmy have two grown daughters, Jocelyn and Laura.