North Clinton, Norris elementary schools get literacy honors

October 29, 2025 by Ben Pounds

The TOPELA Trust, a 501-C3 nonprofit created by David Coffey, announced the winning Literacy Leaders for the past school year.

Norris Elementary Principal Renee Branham led her team to the top in K-3 English Language Arts scores above the demographic norm.

North Clinton Elementary Principal Monica Rael led her team to the top in yearly English and Language Arts gains, although she has left the school since the year that gave her the award.

Coffey said that eligible schools for both designations for last year include ones within the Anderson County, Clinton, Oak Ridge and Roane County School systems. The winning principals each received a $10,000 cash award.

“Early academics are [crucial] to all later education, and K-3 reading leaders are direly needed,” Coffee said before the Oct. 16 Clinton Board of Education meeting. “These two leaders show the way.”

Branham

The Anderson County Board of Education honored Branham at its Oct. 2 meeting.

Director of Schools Tim Parrott praised Branham in a statement he read. He spoke of her leadership in making the school the first nationally recognized arts-integrated school in its region, a separate designation leading to a three-year grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.

“But above all, she believes the heart of NES’ success lies in its teachers,” Parrott said of Branham. “They’re relentless in finding ways to meet every child’s needs.”

In a later statement to the school’s official Facebook page, Branham thanked the students, teachers and parents of Norris Elementary for the achievement.



Rael

To celebrate Rael’s award, North Clinton Elementary School teachers and staff gathered along with Rael before the Clinton Board of Education meeting, Oct. 16.

“I’ve watched your schools for years, and you’ve changed,” Coffee said at the meeting. “You’ve improved. You’ve done some wonderful stuff.”

“Bottom line: students show up to their ‘job’ each day, rise to the high demand of the academic standards, and excel beyond it, because they know they are loved by the teachers and staff that invest in them as individuals each day,” current Principal Abbey Kidwell, who replaced Rael, told The Courier News.