Dr Katherine Koonce: Head of The Covenant School among 3 adults killed in Nashville shooting
NASHVILLE, TENESSEE: Dr Katherine Koonce has been identified as one of the victims of the Nashville School shooting. The head of The Covenant School was killed on Monday, March 27, and is one among the six victims of the shooting, out of which there were three adults and three 9-year-olds.
The child victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney. Authorities identified the other two adult victims as Cynthia Peak, 61, and Mike Hill, 61. A former student of the school, Audrey Hale, 28, is identified as the suspect in the school shooting.
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Who was Katherine Koonce?
Koonce was a Baton Rouge native and has completed her graduation in science from Vanderbilt University. She completed her Master in Education from Georgia State University in 1994-95. Koonce was a Doctor of Education holder from Trevecca Nazarene University. The 60-year-old worked as the Director of Learning Services for eight years, from August 2000 to May 2009, at Christ Presbyterian Academy. Here, her role was to "Review admissions information for all student applicants with learning difficulties and, as a member of the admissions committee, work with principals in each school regarding entrance and placement decisions," as per LinkedIn.
Further, it added, "Evaluate the testing and professional diagnosis information related to students in need of individual learning strategies and facilitates the development of Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) appropriate to meet the student’s educational needs through modifications and accommodations. Meet with families of students in the Learning Services Program to review and interpret educational testing, explain how an ILP will be implemented within the school’s curriculum, and make recommendations for utilizing additional home and community resources. Manage the Learning Services Department staff members and coordinate with teaching faculty in the implementation of student ILPs, evaluating their educational effectiveness, and updating as needed. Collaborate with each school administrator to coordinate the functions of the Learning Services faculty within the structure of each individual school."
Later, she was promoted as Academic Dean of the Academy from May 2009- May 2016. Her responsibilities include being a "Member of the Academy’s Leadership Team, All Academy activities related to maintaining accreditation, School-wide network of committees to facilitate the Academy’s Continuous Improvement Plan, Year-round teacher in-service training, preschool through 12th grade, Annual curriculum review and vertical alignment of curriculum, Leader in the adoption of the professional learning community model." Then, she shifted to The Covenant School as the head of the school.
What was Dr Katherine Koonce's vision for The Covenant School?
She wrote on the school's website, "At The Covenant School, we are about more than simply educating our students — we are participating in the miracle of their development and seeing them transform into who they will be. Impactful teaching methods and programs, daily all-school chapel, and school-wide service-learning are the backdrop for the real work — helping children become who God intends them to be. As we capture our children’s attention and their minds for learning, we also want to capture their hearts in relationships that challenge their thinking and help them learn critical skills. Our graduates attend the finest schools in the Nashville area, where they not only excel academically, but also act with character that comes from authentic faith in Jesus."