RADFORD – Tara Grant and Ken Keister will be leaving their posts at Belle Heth Elementary School to lead Radford High School next school year.
The duo’s reassignments are part of several changes in RCPS administrators due to retirements. The changes were announced by Radford City Public Schools Superintendent Robert Graham on Friday.
“This fall will bring changes to all schools in Radford City,” said Graham. “Each school will have new leadership due to retirements and administrators moving into new roles.
“Although we are sad to be losing two outstanding educators in Mr. Smith and Mr. King due to their retirements, we feel very lucky to have hired these new talented administrative leaders, and we know that they will be a great fit in the RCPS school community,” Graham said.
Grant has been named principal at Radford High School starting in July. Grant is currently the principal at Belle Heth Elementary School and McHarg Elementary School and is the Division
Director of Testing. She has served as principal of Belle Heth since July 2016 and, during the 2020-21 school year, has also served as the principal of McHarg Elementary School during the McHarg Renovation Project, and as the Division Director of Testing for the RCPS system.
Prior to coming to the Radford City Public Schools, Grant was an instructional technology resource teacher, an assistant principal at Falling Branch Elementary School, and the principal of
Belview Elementary School, all in Montgomery County Public Schools.
“I am looking forward to moving Radford High School into an innovative teaching and learning environment that gives our students opportunities for 21st-century learning,” said Grant. “I am honored to serve our students, teachers, staff, and school community as we continue traditions of excellence for the Bobcats.”
Grant is a 1990 graduate of Radford High School who earned a bachelor’s degree in human communications from James Madison University, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Radford University, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Radford University. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Educational Improvement Science at Radford University.
Jeff Smith is retiring in June as the principal of Radford High School.
Keister has been named associate principal of Radford High School starting in July. He is currently the assistant principal at Belle Heth Elementary School and McHarg Elementary
School. He has served as assistant principal since 2014.
Prior to becoming an administrator, Keister was a physical education teacher at Belle Heth Elementary and at Radford High School. He has also coached football, track, and basketball at Radford High School.
“I have a deep commitment and passion for this school and am grateful for the opportunity to work there as the associate principal, said Keister. “I am looking forward to working alongside former colleagues and new administrators at all schools. Together, I know we all will continue to build Radford City’s Schools initiatives for student engagement, collaboration, and innovation. It is a wonderful time for Radford City Schools and I am proud that I can be a part of it.”
Keister received his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree in health promotion from Virginia Tech, and an endorsement in educational leadership from Radford University. He is a 1998 graduate of Radford High School.
In other changes recently announced, Darden Freeman has been named the principal of John Dalton Intermediate School starting in July, and Kelly Linkenhoker has been named the principal of Belle Heth Elementary School starting in July.
Freeman is currently the assistant principal at Radford High School and has been in that role for six years. Freeman previously taught history at Radford High School for 17 years.
“I am super happy to be remaining in Radford City Public Schools,” said Freeman. “It’s my home and where I want to be for the rest of my career. I’m excited about the challenges and opportunities with leading John Dalton Intermediate School. I appreciate all that the current principal Jerry King has done for the culture that is in place.” said Freeman.
Freeman received a bachelor’s degree in history and German from Emory and Henry University, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Radford University, and an endorsement in educational leadership from Radford University.
Jerry King is retiring in June as the principal of John Dalton Intermediate. He has served in the position since July of 2016.
Linkenhoker comes from Buena Vista City Schools as the assistant superintendent and principal of Enderly Heights Elementary School. She previously served as assistant principal at Parry
McCluer High School in Buena Vista and then principal at Enderly Heights Elementary School.
“It is with great excitement that I accept the position as the new principal of Belle Heth
Elementary School for the 2021-2022 school year,” said Linkenhoker. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with a tradition of excellence and to work with the amazing students and families alongside an extremely dedicated staff, and a very supportive school community. I feel very fortunate to be part of this school’s future and to change the world one Bobcat at a time! I look forward to working closely with Mrs. Grant and the RCPS administrative team to ensure a smooth transition for everyone!”
Linkenhoker received a bachelor’s degree in family child development from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Radford University, and is a doctoral candidate in educational and organizational leadership from Vanderbilt University.
Michelle Greene has been named principal of McHarg Elementary School, starting in July. Greene is currently assistant principal of Christiansburg Primary School. Prior to becoming an administrator, Greene served as an instructional coach, reading specialist, and classroom teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools.
“I am honored to join Radford City Public Schools as principal of McHarg Elementary,” said Greene.”I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, teachers, staff, and families in the Radford community. I am committed to Excellence in Education…Every Student, Every Day!” said Greene.
Greene received her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and elementary education from Radford University, a master’s degree in reading from Radford University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Radford University, and is a doctoral candidate in educational improvement science from Radford University.
