Crieve Hall Elementary Principal

A message from Dr. Hank Staggs

My name is Dr. Hank Staggs, and I am thrilled to be at CHES. This is my 30th year as an educator and my 15th year serving as a school principal. I taught high school math in Jackson before moving to middle Tennessee where I’ve served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in both public and private schools. I also taught in the college of education at Lipscomb University, served as a director at the Tennessee Department of Education and worked for NIET, an education non-profit. I grew up in Florence, Alabama, and have lived in the Nashville area for the past 28 years. My undergraduate degree was completed at Freed-Hardeman University and graduate school at Tennessee State University.

I enjoy spending time with my wife, two children, and our Australian Shepherd named Mocha. I love to go fishing and be outdoors as much as possible, and I cheer for the Tennessee Titans, Auburn Tigers, and the Atlanta Braves! CHES is a fantastic school, and I am so proud to be able to work with these wonderful students, teachers, and staff each day.

Questions from the students

Kindergarten: What do you like to do with your family?
Dr. Staggs: Our family likes to be outdoors, and hiking is one of our favorite things.

First Grade: What is your favorite animal? Can you make the sound it makes for us?

Dr. Staggs: I have an Australian Shepherd named Mocha. He is my favorite animal! Yes, I will make the sound if all the first graders help! [Dr Staggs AND the first graders offered their best barking dog imitation!]

Second Grade: What different schools have you worked at and where were they?

Dr Staggs: I have worked at schools of all grade levels in several places in Tennessee including Jackson, Madison, Franklin, and now Nashville!

Third Grade: What is the farthest place you’ve ever traveled? What has been your favorite place you’ve traveled?
Dr. Staggs: Sydney, Australia is the farthest, and Nairobi, Kenya is my favorite.

Fourth Grade: Tell us about a teacher you loved as a student.

Dr. Staggs: My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Deal, was one of my favorites. She taught us about citizenship, and we built a mini city out of milk cartons. 

Fifth Grade: Who is your favorite superhero?

Dr. Staggs: Spiderman!

Related Arts: If you could go pro in any sport, what would it be?

Dr. Staggs: I would be a professional fisherman!

Dr. Staggs meet + greet videos

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