Rich Fulford is the next head of school at Christian Academy of Knoxville. He is currently assistant head of school and middle school principal, where he has served since 2016.
Prior to coming to CAK, Fulford was the assistant principal at West Valley Middle School. While there, he was part of a team that implemented a 1:1 technology program, which he also helped implement at both Farragut Middle and CAK. Fulford also added an honors program to the CAK middle school.
Fulford will become head of school on July 1, 2020, said Will Ferguson, CAK board of trustees president. Dan Perryman, who has served as interim head of school, will continue in that role until then.
“Dan Perryman has been a stabilizing force, having led CAK through natural disasters and transitions in leadership as well as having overseen growth in enrollment and successes in academics, the arts and athletics,” said Ferguson.
“The search for a head of school is both challenging and rewarding,” Ferguson said. “In Rich we found a candidate who reflected a love for Christ, a passion for Christian education and an appreciation for how CAK can impact our students both academically and spiritually.”
Fulford holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business from the University of Tennessee, where he was also a two-time NCAA all-American track and field team member and competed in the 1992 Olympic Trials.
He went on to serve as a graduate assistant and administrative assistant with UT’s Athletics Department while studying to receive a master’s in sport administration. Fulford also holds an education specialist’s degree in educational leadership and administration from George Washington University.
He and his wife, Marteal (“Teal”), have been married over 22 years and have four sons: Gabel, 17; Ethan, 15; Silas, 12; and Owen, 11. They attend Northstar Church in Knoxville.