About Us

Located in Board of Education District 4 and KCS Region 1, Bearden Elementary School is a pillar of the West Knoxville community.

Opened in 1938, the school is situated on a hill overlooking Kingston Pike. The facility currently serves over 400 students and staff. The majority of students who attend Bearden Elementary will move on to Bearden Middle School and then eventually West High School.

Bearden Elementary School serves a culturally diverse population in a safe, child-centered environment. The dedicated and caring staff works diligently to meet the needs of all students. Numerous opportunities are available for parents to actively participate in the educational program. An effective partnership between home and school ensures success for all.

Principal

Ms. Porscha Harris

Ms. Harris joined Knox County Schools in 2013 as a teacher at West Haven Elementary. She previously worked as a teacher in Hamilton County Schools. In 2015, she joined the teaching staff at Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy and became a lead teacher in 2017. She was a TAP Mentor from 2014-2016. She began her career in administration in 2020 as an assistant principal at Gibbs Elementary.

Ms. Harris holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from the University of Tennessee- Chattanooga, a master’s degree in Teacher as Instructional Leaders from South College, and an educational specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.

Email Ms. Harris

Assistant Principal

Mr. Jamie Murray

Mr. Murray joined Knox County Schools in 2007 as a teacher at Rocky Hill Elementary School. From Rocky Hill, Mr. Murray moved to West Haven, Belle Morris, and then Gibbs Middle School. He was a TAP Mentor from 2015-2017. He began his career in administration in 2023 as an assistant principal at Bearden Elementary.

Mr. Murray holds a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Tennessee, and master’s degree in Educational Administration from Carson-Newman College.

Email Mr. Murray

Staff Directory

Our staff directory provides a comprehensive and easily accessible listing of school and district personnel. Searches can be made by name, job title, or facility location.

Search Directory

Calendar

Bearden Elementary follows an academic calendar approved by the Board of Education that identifies the first and last day of school; student and teacher in-service days; school holidays; and grading periods.

These calendars are detailed by school year.

See Calendar

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