Principal Tammi Campbell: “She came, she saw, she conquered”

By Vivian Shipe KNOXVILLE, TN — When Tammi Campbell took over the leadership at Austin-East Magnet High School as the Executive Principal, the school was in great flux. When she stepped into the hallowed halls of her alma mater where she had been class president and Ms. Austin-East; the school was in a stormy season. Five students had died by gun violence, the pandemic had half the students in a virtual setting the year before with students now trying to come together again under one roof. For many of the kids, it would be their first-time high school experience. Distrust and fear rained down on all sides, both in the school and in the community. Despite the challenges in front of her, Principal Campbell boldly stepped into the storm. Shown l-r are: Octavia Harper long time school supporter who has had nine of her children graduate from Austin East and Principal Tammi Campbell Her priority from day one was the students. They came first and she made it clear she was there to hear them, their families, and the Black community in which Austin-East sits in the heart of. The key to Campbells success has been on relationship building. From...