PUTNAM COUNTY, TENN. – The Putnam County School System is pleased to announce Kathy Koughan as the new principal at Cane Creek Elementary. 

Koughan replaces Rhonda Mahan, who recently announced her retirement.

“Ms. Koughan's commitment to student well-being and academic success is unquestionable,” said PCSS Director of Schools Corby King. “After spending sixteen years as a classroom teacher at CCES, Ms. Koughan's excitement to return and lead the school where she spent most of her career is evident.”

A native of Edison, New Jersey, Koughan taught middle school in New York City and second grade in Atlanta before moving to Putnam County in 2005. She spent the next 16 years teaching kindergarten and RTI at Cane Creek before becoming the assistant principal at Jere Whitson Elementary. After two years at JWES, she spent last year as an assistant principal at Park View Elementary.

“Since leaving CCES, Ms. Koughan has been an integral member of the administrative teams at Jere Whitson Elementary School and Park View Elementary School,” said King. “She is committed to supporting teachers and maintaining high expectations for student academic success. I am excited to support and work with Ms. Koughan as she leads CCES.”

When Mahan recently announced her retirement from Cane Creek, Koughan knew she wanted to return to a place that felt like home.

“It's a dream come true to be able to return home to Cane Creek Elementary,” Koughan said. “I look forward to supporting the students, families, faculty, and staff of CCES as we work together to increase student growth and achievement.”

Koughan holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education from the University of Delaware, a Master of Arts in Reading Specialist from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, and a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee State University.

Koughan has two sons: Gavin (16), who will be a junior at Cookeville High, and Josh (11), who will be starting the sixth grade at Avery Trace Middle School.