Cheatham County Education Hall of Fame
The Cheatham County School District is proud to announce the selections for the fourth class of the Cheatham County Education Hall of Fame.
Twelve individuals who made their mark in the district will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Thursday, October 24 at 6 p.m. at the Cheatham Middle School multi-purpose room. The ceremony is open to the public.
The district created the Hall of Fame in 2021 to honor individuals who have demonstrated measurable influence and made significant contributions to the growth and development of education in Cheatham County.
Members of this year’s class include (in alphabetical order):
• Kathy Adams, a teacher at Pleasant View Elementary School, East Cheatham Elementary School and Sycamore High School; district Title I supervisor and elementary education supervisor; and principal at Ashland City Elementary STEM Academy. She was with the district for 39 years.
• Mary Frances Bradley, an elementary and special education teacher at several schools throughout Cheatham County. She was with the district for 20 years.
• Mary Evelyn Brinkley, a business education teacher at Cheatham County Central High School. She was with the district for 34 years.
• Frances Fults, a home economics teacher at Cheatham County Central High School. She was with the district for 27 years.
• Pauline Heathman Gunn, an elementary teacher in several community schools in Cheatham County and at Ashland City Elementary STEM Academy. She was with the district for 38 years.
• Donnie Jordan, a teacher at West Cheatham Elementary School; a teacher, coach and assistant principal at Cheatham County Central High School; and superintendent of schools. He was with the district for 21 years.
• Gary Merritts, an assistant band director at Cheatham County Central High School; band director at East Cheatham Elementary School, Pegram Elementary Fine Arts Magnet School and Kingston Springs Elementary School; and band director at Harpeth Middle School and Harpeth High School. He was with the district for 30 years.
• Woodrow Perry, a school bus driver and Cheatham County School Board member. He drove a bus for 40-plus years and served on the School Board for 22 years.
• Bonnie Stack, a Central Office administrative assistant for the superintendent of schools. She was with the district for 32 years.
• Virginia Van Hook, an elementary teacher in several schools throughout Cheatham County. She was with the district for 43 years.
• Belinda Winters, a teacher at Pleasant View Elementary School and Sycamore Middle School. She was with the district for 31 years.
• Dawn Young, a teacher and principal at East Cheatham Elementary School and district teacher evaluator. She was with the district for 23 years.
A committee has been established to select the Hall of Fame class, and nominations for next year's class are being accepted through June 30, 2025.
Eligibility requirements for nominees include:
• Been retired from the CCSD a minimum of 5 years at the time of consideration.
• Have been employed for a minimum of 20 years and must have distinguished themselves by demonstrating exceptional leadership, character and achievement during his/her tenure for the CCSD.
• Posthumous nominations will be accepted.
• Brief personal biography of nominee (dates of service and positions held during career).
• Brief narrative of significant educational contributions of the nominee.
• Nomination forms, with the requested information, are available below. For additional information, contact Communications Director Tim Adkins at [email protected] or 615-792-5664.