Founding Partners with Extensive Educational Leadership Experience

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Dr. Tim Fite

Tim Fite earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from The University of Memphis. He holds a Doctor of Education degree from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Fite served Tipton County Schools (TN) for more than 30 years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He retired from this 13, 000 student school district in June 2011 with a record of outstanding school and district leadership. Dr. Fite has served as chairman of the Tennessee Superintendent’s Study Council, a statewide organization that regularly advises the Commissioner and State Department of Education regarding education policies. He has represented the state of Tennessee on numerous education boards and leadership task forces. Dr. Fite served the Tennessee School Boards Association as the lead coordinator for the Tennessee Aspiring Superintendents Academy which has prepared many leaders who serve as superintendents/directors in school districts throughout Tennessee. In addition, Dr. Fite taught and mentored numerous current school leaders while serving as Affiliate Research Professor in the Department of Leadership at The University of Memphis.

Dr. James B. Mitchell, Jr.
James B. Mitchell, Jr. received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhodes College and his Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees from The University of Memphis. Dr. Mitchell retired after 34 years of service in the Shelby County School District (TN) where he gained experience as a teacher, human resources supervisor, high school vice-principal and principal, and assistant superintendent of operations. Dr. Mitchell was appointed by the Shelby County Board of Commissioners to serve as the 21st Shelby County Schools’ superintendent. He successfully led this 46,000 student school district with more than 4500 employees. During his years as superintendent, Dr. Mitchell was responsible for a $235 million annual operating budget and more than $131 million in capital projects. He was actively involved in the design and construction of 22 new schools in the Shelby County School District. He was selected as the 2001 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year, and he received the 2003 Peabody/Vanderbilt Educator Award. Dr. Mitchell also taught and mentored numerous current school leaders while serving as Affiliate Research Professor in the Department of Leadership at The University of Memphis.

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Our Team of Associates

Southern Educational Strategies, LLC has access to the experience, skills, and knowledge of several highly qualified Associates. Depending upon the project's goals, these talented private school and public school leaders collaborate with the SES team to produce SOLUTIONS FOR SUCCESS! Each one of the Associates is a colleague of the SES founding partners. The SES Associates include a private school headmaster and administrative leaders, public school superintendents, plus experienced CEO, CFO, COO, CIO, and other public school administrative leaders.