Dr. Whitney Hodge currently serves as assistant principal at Highland Middle
By Juliann Morris
September 15, 2023—Longtime JCPS educator Dr. Whitney Hodge will be the next principal of Carter Traditional Elementary School.
Hodge currently serves as an assistant principal at Highland Middle School where she has honed her equity-centered leadership style and focus on strong relationships.
"I am honored and thrilled to serve as the new principal at Carter Traditional Elementary School,” Hodge said. “I look forward to building relationships with the students, staff, and families as we continue to carry the legacy and move Carter Traditional forward."
Hodge has spent her entire education career in JCPS. She joined the district in 2010 as a math teacher at Frost Middle School. In 2014, she moved into a Response to Intervention (RTI) coordinator/instruction coach role at Robert Frost Sixth-Grade Academy and also served as a behavior coach before becoming a district behavior support systems coach in 2017. Hodge took the assistant principal role at Highland Middle in 2018, where she has served for the last five years.
“Dr. Hodge is a collaborative leader who believes in the importance of engaging students, their families, staff, and community partners in the academic success of students,” said Dr. LaMesa Marks-Johns, assistant superintendent of elementary schools, zone 1. “Additionally, she believes in fostering trust with all stakeholders, empowering families and community partners in the learning process, and strengthening the development of teachers through coaching and feedback.”
Hodge earned her Doctor of Education and specialist degree in instructional leadership and school administration from Bellarmine University. She has a master’s degree in education from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Louisville.
Among her strengths, Hodge said she is a positive, energetic, and solutions-focused leader who will work to create a positive work environment for students and staff.
"As an equity-centered leader, my goal is to empower our entire school community, increase learning opportunities for all students and continue to build the culture and climate to ensure Carter is a place where all students want to be," Hodge said.
Dr. Hodge’s first day at Carter Traditional will be Monday, September 18, 2023.