PUTNAM COUNTY – The Putnam County School System (PCSS) recently announced that Dr. Leslie Eldridge has been named the new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Supervisor for PCSS.
Eldridge is a native of Cumberland County and has a vast knowledge of CTE. She served in Cumberland County schools for four years as the CTE lead counselor and served a little over a year as interim CTE director in Cumberland County. She most recently completed her second year with the Tennessee Department of Education as the Upper Cumberland CTE Consultant at the Core Office.
Eldridge holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Tennessee Technological University as well as a Master of Arts and an Education Specialist in school counseling/educational psychology. She received her Doctorate of Philosophy in psychology from Capella University, and most recently earned her Educational Leadership Endorsement from the University of Tennessee Martin.
“I am beyond excited to continue the great work with the Career and Technical Education programs in PCSS,” said Dr. Eldridge. “I am a strong advocate for CTE programs and all of the endless opportunities they offer for our students which enables them to be successful! Through collaboration with the PCSS CTE team and Putnam community, I hope to provide even more opportunities for our students to prepare them for any post-secondary or career pathway they choose to pursue”
Jeff Slagle has served as CTE Program Supervisor in Putnam County for four years and has spent 10 years in the Putnam County School System. Slagle will soon be the new vice president of operations and facilities at TCAT Livingston.
“Jeff Slagle has been instrumental in the advancement of PCSS’s CTE program. Through his leadership, the CTE program has realized increased student participation, stronger community partnerships, and increased early post-secondary opportunities for students. We are grateful to him and wish him the very best at TCAT Livingston,” said Corby King, Director of Schools. “As we interviewed for this position it became clear that Dr. Eldridge has a passion and a great knowledge to not only keep our program moving forward but strengthen our PCSS team.”
To highlight some of the successes of the CTE program:
- CTE programs and School Based Enterprises were established in all middle schools.
- CTE students enrolling in Dual Enrollment courses have almost tripled in less than four years. Over 222 students obtained industry credentials in our district this past year.
- Putnam County students who participate in Career and Technical Student Associations consistently compete and win on the state and national level in several programs of study.
“Putnam County saw astounding growth in the Career & Technical Education programs in the last four years,” said Slagle. “All of this work and accomplishments are all due to the tireless efforts of our CTE teachers, to prepare our outstanding students and all the recognition goes out to them. I want to thank chairman Lynn McHenry, our school board and Director of Schools Corby King for allowing me to work as CTE Program’s Supervisor in Putnam County. Their leadership allows our administrative team to provide Putnam students with the resources, equipment and curriculum to prepare them to be Future Ready for college and career.
“I am excited that Dr. Leslie Eldridge was chosen to join the Putnam County team as the new CTE Programs Supervisor,” Slagle added. “Her knowledge and work in CTE in the Upper Cumberland over the last few years as a counselor, CTE Director and CTE Core Consultant has prepared her to assume this role and excel. “
Eldridge will begin her new role on July 21.
