Appointments have been announced for leadership positions in Hamilton County Schools

On Friday, Hamilton County Schools announced the appointment of new principals to support continued academic progress across the district. Robin Bambrey has been named the new principal of Elementary Teaching and Learning, and Talley Caldwell will be the new principal of Hardy Elementary School.

“I am thrilled to welcome Robin Bambrey and Talley Caldwell to their new roles,” said Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson. “Early learning is the foundation of a student’s educational journey. Ms. Bambrey’s experience in curriculum implementation and instructional coaching and data-driven decision-making will continue to push our K-12 teaching strategies to support student success. Mr. Caldwell’s focus on creating a supportive learning environment for students and staff while maintaining high expectations for all learning will build on the existing success of Hardy Elementary.

Hamilton County Schools looks forward to supporting Ms. Bambrey as she transitions into her new role as she works to support Mr. Caldwell in his transition to principal at Hardy Elementary School.

Ms. Bambrey holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from York College in Pennsylvania. He will bring over twenty years of experience to his new role.

Ms. Bambrey’s career is defined by her strategic use of data to improve student achievement and her commitment to creating high-quality instructional materials. During her tenure as principal at Hardy Elementary, she worked closely with instructional teams to analyze testing data, which resulted in significant gains such as increases in TVAAS scores and improved proficiency on state assessments. Her focus on data-driven learning has created a culture of continuous improvement, with targeted coaching cycles that support teachers in implementing effective, standards-aligned resources.

Additionally, Ms. Bambrey’s previous role as Assistant Principal and Literacy Coach highlights her deep expertise in literacy and curriculum development. At Barger Academy, she led activities that increased reading proficiency and fully implemented differentiated reading instruction, creating a school environment in which each student had access to tailored and impactful learning experiences.

“The position of director of elementary teaching and learning is a cornerstone in the academic development of elementary school students in Hamilton County,” said Blake Freeman, HCS chief learning officer. “Ms. Bambrey, with her extraordinary leadership skills and core experience, is ideally suited to lead us forward. Her appointment followed an extensive search that attracted candidates from local and national backgrounds, reaffirming our confidence in her selection.”

Mr Caldwell has been appointed as the new principal of Hardy Primary School. With over a decade of leadership experience, including his recent role as assistant principal at Brainerd High, Mr. Caldwell brings extensive experience supporting student development and building effective teacher support systems. He is a graduate of the HCS Individual LEAD preparatory program and holds a bachelor’s degree in health, physical education and recreation from Tennessee Wesleyan College. He earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Carson Newman University with a principal license.

Throughout his career, Mr. Caldwell has demonstrated a commitment to student progress through data-driven teaching and collaborative teacher development. At Brainerd High, he spearheaded the ninth-grade Success Academy, using assessment data from the TNReady, ACT, and other benchmarks to guide purposeful groups and targeted learning strategies. His experience in Response to Instruction and Behavior Intervention (RTI2B) has helped address student well-being needs by creating an environment that supports student achievement.

Mr. Caldwell’s approach focuses on creating a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere that prepares teachers for success in the classroom and empowers students to reach their potential.
“I look forward to joining the Hardy Elementary community,” he said. “I believe that the strength of our community lies in the bonds we create in our families. Together we can create a supportive environment where every person can thrive, ensuring a brighter future for all.”

In her new role at Hardy Elementary, she brings a strong foundation in educational leadership and a clear vision for building on the school’s success, supporting the development of every teacher and improving learning outcomes for every student.

“Talley Caldwell is a dedicated leader who has a deep understanding of what it takes to support students and teachers,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sonia Stewart. “His history of supporting academic growth and building strong, supportive relationships within the school community make him the ideal choice to lead Hardy Elementary. Building on the school’s success under Mrs. Bambrey’s leadership, I am confident in his ability to inspire excellence and nurture an environment in which every student can thrive.”