Robert Pitts had a surprise visit by Cannon County Schools Director William F. Curtis to his school earlier this week to announce his selection as Principal of the Year for Cannon County at a special called assembly of all Short Mountain School students, teachers, and staff. Mr. Pitts has served Cannon County Schools for the past 52 years as an educator in the school district, and is affectionately known by his fellow principals and supervisors as “Dean Pitts,” – the longest serving Principal in Cannon County and in honor of his life-long service to Cannon County Students. Mr. Pitts is one of the longest serving educators in the state and one of the longest serving active Principals in the State of Tennessee.
Mr. Pitts started his journey as an educator in 1967 as an English Language Arts teacher at Woodbury Central High School from 1967 to 1968. He then began his journey as a Teaching Principal at East Side School from 1968 until 1987. Mr. Pitts was Supervisor of Special Education for a year in 1987 to 1988. His next stop in his career was Cannon County High School Principal from 1988 until 2004. Mr. Pitts has been serving as Short Mountain School Principal from 2004 to the Present. He is a lifelong resident of Cannon County and graduated from Woodbury Central High School in 1963. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He is married to Beverly Pitts and has three daughters – Bridget, Cindy, and Kayla. They have five grandchildren and another one on the way!
Director of Cannon County Schools William F. Curtis stated, “Mr. Robert Pitts is a Cannon County ‘Legend.’ I have treasured his advice as the ‘Dean of the Principals’ in Cannon County Schools. He has served longer than any other principal at three different schools, East Side – 19 years, Cannon County High School – 16 years, and Short Mountain School – 15 years. This makes Mr. Pitts on of the longest serving principals in the State of Tennessee. His students, faculty, and staff have the utmost respect and love for this administrative icon in their school. His former students number in the thousands and show their appreciation regularly. We in Cannon County Schools are honored to call Mr. Pitts a distinguished colleague and personal friend!”
The Cannon County Board of Education offers congratulations to this wonderful and deserving educator. Short Mountain Principal and Cannon County Principal of the Year 2018-2019, Mr. Robert Pitts, will be representing Cannon County Schools in the Upper Cumberland CORE Region of Tennessee. We honor Mr. Pitts for personifying the Mission and Vision of Cannon County Schools – “Preparing All Students for Their Future” through the New E3 = “Engaged in Excellence Every Day!”
