April 24, 2018
MURFREESBORO – Director of Schools Don Odom was one of five local leaders to receive the Hometown Hero award Friday by the Child Advocacy Center.
Child Advocacy Center director Sharon De Boer presented awards before the Hometown Heroes Walk for Children. The recipients were announced on the Murfreesboro City Plaza among a crowd of family, friends and community activists.
Award winners were Odom, La Vergne Police Chief Mike Walker, Rutherford County Department of Children’s Services Team Coordinator Shannon Romans, Child Advocacy Center Board President Terry A. Fann, and the late District Attorney General Guy R. Dotson, Sr.
“Each of these Hometown Heroes is a passionate advocate for children,” De Boer said. “They are servant leaders who have dedicated their careers to making our community a better place for children to live and grow up. We are grateful for their service to our community.”
The awards were given during the Child Abuse Prevention Month event.
Don Odom has dedicated his 50-year career to educating children at the Rutherford County Schools system as teacher, principal, attendance supervisor, assistant superintendent, and schools’ director.
Under his leadership, the Rutherford County Schools maintained some of the highest scores and rankings in Tennessee and the nation, exceeded the state and national averages with 95.3 percent last year, and earned the highest state schools’ designation as the “Exemplary District” in 2012 and 2017.
“Don Odom is an educational leader of unquestioned integrity who has never been afraid of getting in the trenches nor has he ever shied away from work. He has given his life to helping children and youth and to improving education across Rutherford County and across Tennessee. This entire region is better because he has walked among us,” stated Murfreesboro City Schools Director of Schools Dr. Linda Arms Gilbert.
PHOTO / JAMES EVANS
Child Advocacy Center Board President Terry Fann congratulates Director of Schools Don Odom during the award ceremony for this year's Hometown Heroes recipients.