CEF names new director of development

Recently, the Collierville Education Foundation named Dr. Sherry Phillips-Redden its new director of development.

Prior to working with CEF, Sherry worked in the Shelby County School system for over 39 years as a teacher, administrator and principal. This experience includes a combined 31 years as principal for both Collierville Middle and Schilling Farms Middle schools.

Sherry has also served in leadership roles for several distinguished educational organizations. She has been a board member and state representative for the National Association of Elementary School Principals; president and board member for the Tennessee Association of Elementary School Principals; and executive director of the West Tennessee Association of Elementary School Principals.

A lifelong advocate for better education, Sherry is a leading voice in several state and national initiatives for educational reform. She participated in the Southeastern Forum to Advance Middle School Grades Reform – an alliance of educators, researchers, national associations, and officers of professional organizations and foundations committed to promoting the academic performance and healthy development of young adolescents – for over six years. She also served on the Tennessee Principals’ Study Council Task Force, which seeks to promote the continuous improvement of public education in Tennessee by communicating to the State Board of Education

In addition to her extensive educational leadership experience, Sherry has also received multiple recognitions for her work. Notably, she was honored with the National Distinguished Principal Award in 2000, which honors outstanding elementary and middle-level principals who ensure that America’s children acquire a sound foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. Under her leadership, Collierville Middle received the Ten Great Schools Award from the State of Tennessee and the National Exemplary School award from the U.S. Department of Education.

Outside of her professional experience, Sherry has also served on the board of many local charitable organizations. A key figure in the Memphis and Collierville communities, Sherry has lived and worked in the area for almost 50 years. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University, Sherry moved to Memphis where she worked in education while earning her master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Memphis.

Sherry’s wealth of experience in education and fundraising make her ideal for the director of development role, in which she will direct CEF’s ongoing capital campaign and lead its efforts to secure sustainable funding for each qualified teacher grant. Welcome to the CEF community, Sherry!