Core Values
KEF is lead by a set of core values that guides every action.
Accountability: We believe in high expectations, data-driven decision making, and transparency.
Equity: We believe in collaborating to overcome barriers, address disparities, and advance opportunities for all students.
Innovation: We believe in thinking differently and employing dynamic strategies to address the most pressing issues facing our public education system.
Courage: We believe in advocating for change and making bold decisions, so every student succeeds.
Hope: We believe all of our schools can be great and that every student can succeed.
The Roles of KEF
Our mission is fulfilled by serving as:
Convener: Bringing stakeholders together to address common goals and find solutions for the challenges facing our public education system.
Catalyst: Sparking innovation and advancing bold ideas to foster a culture of continuous improvement in public education.
Champion & Cheerleader: Celebrating successes, recognizing accomplishments, and building awareness.
Connector: Engaging communities, matching needs, raising funds, and facilitating investments.
Critical Friend: Addressing tough barriers to student achievement and shining light on issues of importance.
865 Academies
KEF is the convening organization supporting Knox County Schools with the reimagination of the high school experience through The 865 Academies. KEF supports the initiative by recruiting and cultivating collaborative and academy-aligned businesses, organizations, and industry partnerships for student experiences and post-high school opportunities.
One Book Read City
KEF facilitates One Book Read City, a community-wide literacy initiative that engages all Knox County elementary school students through two weeks of captivating events and activities centered around a thoughtfully selected book. It brings together businesses, non-profit organizations, and schools for a unified effort to support literacy.
Playspace Fund
KEF has created a private-public fund to help reverse three decades of challenges for our public schools and reinforce the importance of play for our students. This innovative funding solution will support playspaces across Knox County Schools.
Priority Based Grants
KEF provides grants across multiple levels that support projects that accelerate student learning, address a challenge, or promote innovative ideas. These projects align with the four priority areas of Knox County Schools and have measurable outcomes.
Project gRAD
Project GRAD provides community and family resources to help ensure successful transition to post-secondary enrollment and supporting scholar completion through efforts to inform, equip, and support graduates from Austin-East and Fulton high schools.
Core Values
KEF is lead by a set of core values that guides every action.
Accountability: We believe in high expectations, data-driven decision making, and transparency.
Equity: We believe in collaborating to overcome barriers, address disparities, and advance opportunities for all students.
Innovation: We believe in thinking differently and employing dynamic strategies to address the most pressing issues facing our public education system.
Courage: We believe in advocating for change and making bold decisions, so every student succeeds.
Hope: We believe all of our schools can be great and that every student can succeed.
The Roles of KEF
Our mission is fulfilled by serving as:
Convener: Bringing stakeholders together to address common goals and find solutions for the challenges facing our public education system.
Catalyst: Sparking innovation and advancing bold ideas to foster a culture of continuous improvement in public education.
Champion & Cheerleader: Celebrating successes, recognizing accomplishments, and building awareness.
Connector: Engaging communities, matching needs, raising funds, and facilitating investments.
Critical Friend: Addressing tough barriers to student achievement and shining light on issues of importance.
865 Academies
KEF is the convening organization supporting Knox County Schools with the reimagination of the high school experience through The 865 Academies. KEF supports the initiative by recruiting and cultivating collaborative and academy-aligned businesses, organizations, and industry partnerships for student experiences and post-high school opportunities.
One Book Read City
KEF facilitates One Book Read City, a community-wide literacy initiative that engages all Knox County elementary school students through two weeks of captivating events and activities centered around a thoughtfully selected book. It brings together businesses, non-profit organizations, and schools for a unified effort to support literacy.
Project gRAD
Project GRAD provides community and family resources to help ensure successful transition to post-secondary enrollment and supporting scholar completion through efforts to inform, equip, and support graduates from Austin-East and Fulton high schools.
Priority Based Grants
KEF provides grants across multiple levels that support projects that accelerate student learning, address a challenge, or promote innovative ideas. These projects align with the four priority areas of Knox County Schools and have measurable outcomes.
Playspace Fund
KEF has created a private-public fund to help reverse three decades of challenges for our public schools and reinforce the importance of play for our students. This innovative funding solution will support playspaces across Knox County Schools.
Our Staff
Executive Leadership
Jill Akin
Devin Barnette
Windy Clayton
Nancy Gonzalez-Rodriguez
Tracey Holt
Christi Kirk
Blake Lawson
Cynthia Manning-Dirl
Katie Mixon
Brianna Rowe
Mike Taylor
Maria Panizo, Ph.D.
Devin Barnette
Windy Clayton
Nancy Gonzalez-Rodriguez
Tracey Holt
Christi Kirk
Cynthia Manning-Dirl
Katie Mixon
Brianna Rowe
Our Board
Executive Leadership
Larsen Jay
Knox County Commission
Scott Broyles
President & CEO
National Safe Skies Alliance
Carol Carden
Principal
PYA
Darris Upton
DEI Programs Manager
UCOR
Anthony Wise
President
Pellissippi State Community College
Betsy Henderson
Board Chair
Knox County Board of Education
Claudia Caballero
President & CEO
Centro Hispano de East Tennessee
Crissy Haslam
Philanthropist and education advocate
Dorian McCoy
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
University of Tennessee
Glenn Jacobs
Mayor
Knox County
Jon Rysewyk
Superintendent
Knox County Schools
lndya Kincannon
Mayor
City of Knoxville
Markus Jackson
Chief Operating Officer
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley
Randy Boyd
President
University of Tennessee
Susan Brown
Director of Philanthropy
Clayton Homes
Will Edwards
Attorney
Long, Ragsdale, & Waters P.C
Devin Barnette
Windy Clayton
Nancy Gonzalez-Rodriguez
Tracey Holt
Christi Kirk
Cynthia Manning-Dirl
Katie Mixon
Brianna Rowe
Our Board
Executive Leadership
Larsen Jay
Scott Broyles
Carol Carden
Darris Upton
Anthony Wise
Betsy Henderson
Claudia Caballero
Crissy Haslam
Dorian McCoy
Glenn Jacobs
Jon Rysewyk
lndya Kincannon
Markus Jackson
Randy Boyd
Susan Brown
Will Edwards
Devin Barnette
Windy Clayton
Nancy Gonzalez-Rodriguez
Tracey Holt
Christi Kirk
Cynthia Manning-Dirl
Katie Mixon
Brianna Rowe
Sponsors
FAQs
General
KEF works in collaboration with Knox County Schools. We provide funding and support for programs to strengthen public schools and ignite student learning.
In addition to funding, KEF focuses on innovation and advocating for programs that support more than 60,000 students at all Knox County Schools, while PTA/PTO provides resources at individual schools.
Local and state funding are the primary sources for Knox Couty Schools. Tax dollars provide facilities, school infrastructure, teacher salaries, instructional materials, student transportation, and other critical school needs. Funding from KEF helps close the opportunity gap by supporting research-based initiatives that strengthen student engagement, create equity, reduce disparities, and provide whole child support. The added support from KEF and donors provides innovative strategies to improve academic outcomes for all students, moving our schools from good to great.
Career OPPORTUNITIES
A career with Knox Education Foundation is a calling to make a positive impact for public education.
Currently no open positions