Phone: 865-428-3016
Email: sharoncoker@sevier.org

Degrees and Certifications:

• 1990 BS University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• 1994 Masters University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• 1995 Ed.S University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Certified in Elementary K-8, Professional Administrator PreK-12

I am honored to serve as the principal at Pigeon Forge Primary School beginning in the 2020-2021 "pandemic" school year and hopefully for many more "non-pandemic" years to come.

When I graduated from the University of Tennessee with my Bachelor of Science in Education in May 1990, I never imagined doing the job that I am now doing. My certification at that time was for 1st - 8th grade and my desire was to teach at the middle school level. I began my career in education as a substitute at Pigeon Forge Primary in August 1990 and was hired for my first full time position as a 2nd grade teacher in 1991. In 1993, I returned to the University of Tennessee to pursue a graduate degree. I completed my Master of Science degree with a cohort of fabulous Sevier County teachers in 1994 and immediately began working on my Specialist in Education degree, which I completed in 1995. After the completion of two graduate degrees, I returned to the University of Tennessee and added an endorsement to my license to be able to teach kindergarten. After spending 15 years teaching kindergarten, I had the opportunity to teach 3rd grade. While teaching third grade, I was chosen to be a core coach for the state of Tennessee and began thinking about the possibility of going into administration. I enrolled at Bethel University (with Ms. McCarter) and completed coursework to obtain my instructional leadership licensure. In 2017, I transitioned out of the classroom and became the assistant principal working alongside Dr. Connie Cottongim. Upon her retirement in 2020, I was chosen as principal.

In 1991, I married my husband Woody. We have one dog, a mixed breed rescue, named Roscoe. When we get a chance and the weather is nice we enjoy riding our motorcycle. We have been as far north as Niagara Falls, New York and as far south as Key West, Florida all on state highways (We don't do the big roads, aka the interstate). The area we live in is perfect for short motorcycle trips and the scenery is beautiful! When I am not at school or home, you can most likely find me at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Maryville. I have attended there since 1968 (all of my life) and enjoy worshipping and fellowshipping regularly with my church family.

You will notice that I did not provide the number of years for anything in my information. That number will change each year. If you love math as much as I do, you will be able to use the information provided to calculate:

• *how long I have been at Pigeon Forge Primary,
• *how long I was a classroom teacher,
• *how long I have been in administration,
• *how long I have been married, and
• *how old I am.