Administration
Dr. Jennifer Sharpe, Principal
Dr. Jennifer Sharpe brings over 18 years of diverse educational expertise to her role as Principal of Springdale. Since joining the Tennessee education community in 2015, she has served as a classroom teacher, Instructional Coach, and Summer Learning Camp Site Coordinator. After three dedicated years as Springdale’s Assistant Principal, she was proud to step into the Principalship in 2026.
As Principal, Dr. Sharpe is committed to leading Springdale on a continued path of excellence. Her vision centers on driving high levels of student achievement and academic growth, while ensuring that every child’s social and emotional well-being remains at the heart of the school's mission. She believes that a nurturing, supportive environment is the essential foundation for students to reach their full potential.
A lifelong learner, Dr. Sharpe holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and Mathematics, a Master’s in Computers in Education, and earned her Doctorate in Education from Lipscomb University in 2022. She is driven by the B.B. King philosophy: “The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.”
Outside of school, Dr. Sharpe enjoys life on the lake with her husband, Dwayne, and spending time with their blended family of five children, ages 16 to 26. Dr. Sharpe is a dedicated community volunteer, having served for 12 years in leadership roles with Scouting BSA. She is the proud mom of 2 Eagle Scouts. Dr. Sharpe continues to volunteer by serving on the welcoming committee at Providence Church in Mt. Juliet.
Sara Petersen, Assistant Principal
Sara Petersen joins Springdale Elementary with over 27 years of dedicated experience in elementary education. Her extensive career spans a variety of critical roles, including classroom teacher, reading interventionist, and literacy coach. She has also served at the district level as a Teacher on Special Assignment and brings four years of proven leadership experience from her previous role as an assistant principal.
As she steps into her new role at Springdale, Mrs. Petersen is deeply committed to striving for excellence. She believes the core purpose of education is to nurture the whole student within a safe, fostering environment. Her approach combines comprehensive, challenging standards with differentiated instruction and extracurricular growth, ensuring students become responsible citizens of their community and the world. As a leader, Mrs. Petersen’s vision is to support and sustain a systematic, collaborative culture where all stakeholders work together toward one common goal: providing the best possible education for every student.
Mrs. Petersen’s robust professional background is supported by a strong academic foundation. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education and Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado and holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading from the University of Colorado.
Outside of the school day, Mrs. Petersen enjoys an active life exploring the outdoors, hiking, swimming, and discovering new areas with her husband, Josh, and their three-year-old daughter. A firm believer in community service, Mrs. Petersen has volunteered with various non-profits over the years, including ten years in leadership positions within the Junior League and serving in her church’s music ministry.