Welcome to Niota Elementary School. My name is David McDonald and I have the privilege to be the principal of Niota Elementary School. I moved to Athens, TN in 1993 shortly after graduating from Granbury High School in Granbury, Texas. I was a member of the Tennessee Wesleyan College (now TWU) Men’s Soccer Team and graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College. I earned my master’s degree and Educational Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University. I have spent 12 years as a teacher (3rd, 5th-8th grade) and coach in McMinn County. This is my 13th year as an administrator (12th year as principal). I am truly blessed and appreciative to be selected to work with such a dedicated staff that provides the best possible education for our students.
Many rewarding experiences, over the last 25 years in education, have led me to Niota Elementary School. My faith in God, the support of my family, and my educational mentors have been immeasurable through the years. God continues to lead me on a path to be a service for the community that I love. I have been blessed and continue to enjoy all the life-long relationships that I have developed at each school where I have served.
On a personal level, I have three wonderful kids, daughters Keely (20, a Junior at TWU), Landry (10, 5th grade at Riceville), and son Jonah (18, a Freshman at Tennessee Tech University). We attend and enjoy worship at Fellowship Church in Knoxville. I am happily engaged to Kristi Darnell from Englewood, TN.
Our goal at Niota will be to provide the best academic opportunities for students to be successful and become productive members of society. I look forward to working alongside everyone to build a foundation of academic success for our students at Niota.
Go Wildcats!
My name is Jamie Walden. I am so excited to be a new member of the Niota Elementary School family. I am a graduate from Tennessee Wesleyan College and Austin Peay State University. I taught kindergarten for 14 years at Riceville Elementary. This will be my first year serving as an assistant principal.
I look forward to working closely with students, families, staff, and community members at Niota Elementary School. By creating the best educational environment possible, we can ensure that every child will succeed in their academic goals and grow up to be respectful productive citizens.
God has blessed me with a beautiful and supportive family. My husband is John Walden. We have two daughters, Megan Luke and Carrie Walden. Megan is a teacher at William Blount High School. She is married to Will Luke. Carrie is in graduate school at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga. She is engaged to Jansen Cass. I also have the sweetest dog ever named Sam. We attend Zion Hill Baptist Church in Englewood, TN.
My hobbies include spending time with family and enjoying the great outdoors.