Principal Appreciation Month: Dionne Upton : Woodmore Elementary
October 09, 2026 – Ask Dionne Upton what she loves most about being a principal, and her answer is simple: the kids.
“I want to see ALL kids succeed. I take the job seriously,” Upton said.
That commitment to children began long before she became a principal. Upton graduated from Sweetwater High School and attended UTC for her undergrad and Tennessee Tech for her master’s degree.. She knew early on that she wanted a career working with children, inspired in part by her own first-grade teacher, Janey Richesin, who looped with her class and taught the class again in second grade.
“Being in her classroom made us feel special,” Upton said. “ I remembered that feeling and knew I wanted to have that same impact.”
More than 30 years later, Upton is still doing just that.
Her path to the principal’s office was not necessarily something she planned from the beginning. Early in her career, a principal encouraged her to consider leadership, even though Upton initially had her sights set on becoming a school counselor. Eventually, she completed the Leadership Fellows program, became a literacy coach, and later served as an assistant principal at Westview Elementary and Brown Academy.
Then came Woodmore.
When Upton was offered the principal position, she knew she was stepping into an important moment for the school and community. Now, 10 years later, she and the Woodmore team continue to work together to build on the school’s successes.
One of the accomplishments she is most proud of came at the end of the 2020-2021 school year, when Woodmore exited state priority status and returned to good standing with the state. The following year, in 2021-2022, Woodmore was designated state reward status.
“The reward status showed the commitment and hard work of our teachers, support staff, parents, and students,” Upton said.
But when Upton talks about Woodmore, the conversation quickly moves away from accomplishments and back to people.
“We’re a small school, probably one of the smaller schools left in Hamilton County. We have maintained a family feeling that just makes us a special place. I tell everyone that we’re one of the best kept secrets in Hamilton County.”
That feeling of being a family extends to how Upton leads. She wants students and staff to know that she is available, approachable and willing to listen when needed.
“I make myself available at different times throughout the day and after school. Teachers and students know they can come to me.”
For students, that means knowing their school is a safe, supportive place. Upton wants students to be able to focus on learning, growing socially and simply being kids during their time at Woodmore, preparing them for what’s to come in middle school is of the utmost importance.
For families, Upton sees Woodmore as a source of support when there’s a need. She describes the school as a “hub” for the community, where staff connects families with resources and support beyond school.
When it comes to teachers, Upton wants Woodmore to be a place where they can grow as teachers and leaders. “Each month at Woodmore University, teachers, instructional coaches, and counselors lead professional development and we learn from one another. I nudge teachers to apply for our various LEAD Programs offered by our district to hone their leadership abilities as teacher leaders, instructional coaches, assistant principals, or principals.”
“One of my main focuses is to build the leadership capacity of the teachers who are here,” Upton said. “It will be important for them to build on our successes and continue to move our school forward.”
After 10 years as the school’s principal, Upton’s greatest joy may be the simplest one: making Woodmore a place where all enjoy learning and growing together.
She knows education can be hard work, but she also believes in celebrating the people who show up every day to do the work alongside her.
“My staff makes me proud when we accomplish hard things,” Upton said.
That mindset is also part of the advice she gives to anyone thinking about becoming a principal themselves.
“It’s a rewarding career. It’s hard work. It doesn’t get easier. You must have a growth mindset and hire talented people who can bring the missing piece needed to improve your school,” Upton said.
For Upton, leadership is not about doing everything alone. It is about recognizing the strengths of the people around you, giving them room to lead and building a school community that can continue to grow together.
And the message she continually shares with her staff and students captures that approach perfectly:
“We can do hard things.”
