By Katie Northcott, News Director
Three Tullahoma City Schools (TCS) staff members were recognized at the 19th annual Coordinated School Health Institute Award of Excellence Ceremony.
The TCS award recipients were Director of Schools Dr. Catherine Stephens, Director of Coordinated School Health Gina Bumbalough, and Robert E. Lee Physical Education Teacher Macie Honey.
Find more details in TCS’s press release, which is published below.
Tullahoma City Schools had three state winners at the 19th annual Coordinated School Health Institute Award of Excellence Ceremony, put on by the Tennessee Department of Education’s Division of Coordinated School Health.
“I am honored to celebrate these individuals who represent the very best of what is possible when health and wellbeing are connected to academics through strong partnerships among students, families, schools, and communities,” said Lori Paisley, Assistant Commissioner of the Division of Coordinated School Health. “Their inspiring work exemplifies how our districts and schools are creating supportive environments where students feel safe, healthy, and ready to learn.”
TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens, was named the 2025–26 Director of Schools/Supervisor of the Year. According to the state’s Division of Coordinated School Health, Dr. Stephens’ transformative leadership ensures students, staff and families thrive when health and well-being are prioritized. Under her guidance, the district has placed a full-time nurse in every school, strengthened home-to-school partnerships, elevated staff wellness initiatives and deepened strategic collaboration across departments to better support students.
“I am incredibly honored to be named the Coordinated School Health Director of Schools/Supervisor of the Year, though I am truly proud of Tullahoma City Schools as a whole,” Dr. Stephens said. “Each of these awards and recognitions is a testament to the team we have in TCS. It takes all of us working together, with a focus on students, to make a profound difference in their lives.”
Gina Bumbalough, Director of Coordinated School Health for Tullahoma City Schools, was selected as the 2025–26 School Health Champion of the Year. According to the state’s Division of Coordinated School Health, Bumbalough centers all eight CSH components in her work, demonstrating the direct connection between
health and academic success. She empowers school nurses to serve both in clinics and classrooms by teaching health education, streamlines procedures to enhance service delivery for students and families and actively engages community partners to meet student needs.
“It’s an honor to receive the Coordinated School Health Champion of the Year Award,” Bumbalough said. “I’m grateful for the support of our Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens, and our Deputy Director, Dr. April Norris, whose leadership helps make this work possible. I’m also thankful for the collaboration of the many educators, staff and community partners who share a commitment to supporting the whole child. We know that when students are healthy, they are better able to learn and succeed. I feel truly blessed to work with dedicated colleagues in our district and with partners across the state who continue to collaborate to support our students’ success.”
During the ceremony, the Division of Coordinated School Health also recognized Award of Excellence recipients for each of the eight components of Coordinated School Health. Robert E. Lee Elementary School Nurse Beth Hill was a finalist for the Award of Excellence for Health Education, while REL Physical Education Teacher Macie Honey received the Award of Excellence for Physical Education/Physical Activity.
“Receiving the Award of Excellence in Physical Education and Physical Activity from the Tennessee Department of Education and Coordinated School Health is a tremendous honor,” Honey said. “It means so much to be recognized for work that I truly care about – helping students develop healthy habits and a love for being active. Physical education plays an important role in supporting students’ physical health, confidence, and overall well-being. This award motivates me to continue creating positive, engaging opportunities for students to move, learn, and build lifelong healthy lifestyles.”
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