About Us

Located in Board of Education District 4 and KCS Region 1, Bearden Middle School is a diverse learning community in the heart of Knoxville.

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, we offer the Middle Years Programme (MYP), which encourages students to grow as curious, knowledgeable, and globally minded learners. Bearden Middle is also an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) school, preparing every student for success in advanced academics, college, and life through rigorous instruction, critical thinking, and collaboration.

School Administrators

Principal

Michael Toth

Mr. Toth serves as the Executive Principal of Bearden Middle School, a position he has held since 2017. He brings over two decades of experience in public education, with a career dedicated to fostering academic growth, equity, and student-centered learning environments.

Mr. Toth began his career teaching 2nd and 3rd grade at Green Magnet Academy from 2003 to 2010, where he developed a strong foundation in inclusive instruction and community-based education. He transitioned into school leadership as Assistant Principal at Karns High School (2010–2013), then served as Assistant Principal at Halls High School and Principal of the North Knox Career and Technical Education Center (2013–2017), before taking the helm at Bearden Middle.

Under his leadership, Bearden has strengthened its implementation of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and achieved notable academic gains—including a 15-percentage point increase in math achievement over four years. His leadership is rooted in reflection, collaboration, and a firm belief in the potential of every student.

Mr. Toth holds an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University, a Master of Science in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Michigan State University.

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6th Grade Principal

Meshon Crateau

Mrs. Crateau brings 28 years of dedication to education, with the last six serving in school administration. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as well as an Educational Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about fostering student growth, supporting teachers, and creating a learning environment where all students can thrive.

At BMS, she is especially proud of her work in shaping a strong and positive school culture. From bringing music into the hallways to building student recognition programs, Mrs. Crateau is known as a true motivator who encourages students and staff alike to reach their full potential.

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7th Grade Principal

Zelda Dotson

Mrs. Dotson brings more than 18 years of experience in education and currently serves the Bearden Middle School community as the 7th Grade Assistant Principal. Before joining Bearden Middle, Mrs. Dotson supported the Vine Middle School community as the 8th Grade Assistant Principal.

Her teaching career began in Bradley County, where she taught for eight years before moving to Knox County. She then served for a year as an interim teacher at Cedar Bluff Middle School, followed by seven years as a 6th Grade teacher at Karns Middle School. These experiences have given her a deep understanding of student needs and instructional best practices across multiple grade levels.

Mrs. Dotson holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master's degree from Lee University. She also hold an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership fro Lincoln Memorial University. Her commitment to fostering a positive school culture and supporting both students and staff reflects her passion for creating a collaborative and engaging learning environment. Mrs. Dotson is a wonderful addition to the BMS family. Her high expectations, structure, and organizational skills have fostered many positive student and staff interactions.

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8th Grade Principial & Athletic Director

Logan McKinney

Mr. McKinney is in his 14^th year of service in public education and the 4^th year of serving as a school administrator. Prior to becoming a school administrator, Mr. McKinney devoted his time and effort to building young people into successful students in the classroom as well as successful student-athletes in various sports. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Carson-Newman College in addition to an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. Mr. McKinney's belief in the vital role that education plays in molding students into successful adults has been a driving force in his efforts to facilitate meaningful opportunities for growth and achievements in the classroom for students and teachers.

McKinney is extremely thankful for the opportunity to start and grow his career as a school administrator at BMS for many reasons. Being a ten-year veteran as a high school teacher before joining BMS, he has learned many valuable lessons about the different challenges that the modern middle school student faces on a daily basis. Additionally, he has been able to use his past knowledge and experiences working with high school students to adequately prepare BMS students for the decisions and challenges awaiting them in the future.

Email Mr. McKinney

IB MYP Coordinator

Bahar Hill

International Baccalaureate (IB) MYP Coordinator & Individuals and Societies Teacher

With over 20 years of experience in middle school education, Bahar Hill brings both deep expertise and personal passion to her role as an educator. For the past 13 years, she has been a vital part of the BMS community, primarily teaching Individuals and Societies within the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).

Mrs. Hill's connection to the IB goes beyond her teaching—she was an MYP student herself in middle school, giving her a unique perspective and authentic understanding of the program from both student and teacher viewpoints.

At BMS, Mrs. Hill leads the implementation of the IB framework, guiding curriculum development, MYP unit planning, and assessment design across grade levels. Her commitment to fostering inquiry-based learning and global-mindedness is evident in both her classroom and leadership roles.

TPaCK Instructional Coach

Jennifer Pace

Mrs. Pace is a dedicated educator with 24 years of experience in education, including 18 years as a high school English teacher. She received her Bachelor of the Arts degree in English literature from Randolph Macon College. She taught for eight years at Douglas Southall Freeman High School before moving to Knoxville, TN. For the next decade, she inspired students as a 9th and 12th Grade English teacher in the STEM Academy at Hardin Valley Academy.

A passionate advocate for 21st century learners and technology, Mrs. Pace received her Master of Science in Educational Technology from Augustana University in 2017. For the past nine years, Mrs. Pace has served as a TPaCK Instructional Coach, focusing on the meaningful integration of technology into classroom instruction. She began this role at Vine Middle School in 2017 and has continued in this position at Bearden Middle School since 2018. In addition to coaching and supporting teachers, Mrs. Pace serves as the school’s Device Manager, Master Schedule Coordinator, and Testing Coordinator.

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 Middle 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; early release days; school holidays; and grading periods.

These calendars are detailed by school year.

See Calendar

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