Diana Cook named Friday as the new principal of Jere Whitson Elementary School.
Putnam County Director of Schools Coby King said Cook brings more than two decades of education experience to the position. That includes the most recent role as assistant principal at Burks Elementary School since 2021.
“Diana Cook is an exceptional educator and leader who has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to student achievement and building strong school communities,” King said.
Before her time at Burks Elementary, Cook worked as the district elementary literacy specialist for grades three through five from 2018 to 2021. She also served as an interventionist and enrichment specialist at Northeast Elementary from 2015 to 2018, the press release said.
“Her extensive experience in classroom instruction, literacy leadership, and school administration makes her an outstanding choice to lead Jere Whitson Elementary,” King said.
Cook spent eight years teaching third and fourth grade at Baxter Elementary from 2007 to 2015. Her teaching career also includes experience at two elementary schools in Illinois, the press release said.
“We are excited to welcome her into this new role and confident she will continue the school’s tradition of excellence,” King said.
Cook holds a Master of Instructional Leadership from Tennessee State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Aurora University. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University, the press release said.
Cook maintains a Tennessee Professional Educator License with an endorsement in elementary education for kindergarten through eighth grade, the press release said.