Principal

Mr. Ben Willings

Mr. Ben Willings

Mr. Ben Willings is the Principal at Rush Strong School. He has a passion for reading and helping students be successful everyday.

Assistant Principal

Dr. Joey Byrd

Dr. Joey Byrd

Joey Byrd is a Jefferson County native and graduated from Jefferson County High School.For ten years she taught 7th and 8th grade English in Cocke County, Tennessee.While teaching she earned her Educational Specialist Degree in Administrative Leadership and her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Carson-Newman University.In June of 2021, she joined the administrative team of Rush Strong School in Strawberry Plains, TN.

Dr. Byrd is married to Greg, and they have one daughter, Aubrey Jo.When she is not at school, she enjoys reading and working on her farm with her goats.She is excited about being at Rush Strong School and is committed to Rush Strong School’s excellence.