Meet our Administration

Hello! I’m Dr. Staci Harris, and I am incredibly proud to serve as the principal of Cherokee Ridge Elementary School. I have spent 22 years in education, 16 years as a classroom teacher and the past 6 years in school administration. I became an educator because I believe in the difference a school can make in the life of a child and in the community it serves.

This community is especially important to me because it has always been home. I have lived here my entire life, and it is an honor to come back and serve the children and families of the community that helped shape me. I am very community-oriented and believe some of the best things happen for kids when schools, families, and the community work together.

My hope is that CRES is a place where every child feels loved and supported, our staff feels valued, and our families feel welcomed and connected to their school.

Outside of school, you can usually find me following my three kids from one sporting event to another! When I can find a little extra time, I also enjoy refinishing furniture and giving old pieces new life.

Hello! I’m Dr. Jason Liggins, and I am proud to serve as the assistant principal of Cherokee Ridge Elementary School. I have spent more than 20 years in education as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and school administrator. I became an educator because I truly believe schools have the power to change lives, and I still enjoy seeing those little moments when something finally clicks for a student.

One of my favorite things about Cherokee Ridge is the sense of community within our school. I believe relationships matter, and some of our best work happens when students, staff, families, and the community all work together. I want our students to know they have adults here who care about them, our teachers to know they are supported, and our families to know they are an important part of what we do.

As assistant principal, no two days are ever quite the same, and that is one of the things I enjoy most about the job. You might find me visiting classrooms, helping a student work through a problem, supporting a teacher, talking with families, or somewhere in the building making sure our Thunderbirds are having a great day!

Outside of school, there is a pretty good chance you’ll find me running. I enjoy everything from a few miles around town to training for marathons, and I love being involved with the Chattanooga Track Club and our local running community. I also love traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with friends and family. And when I’m not doing any of those things, I’m probably already planning the next adventure!