Kingsport City Schools Names Tate Permanent Dobyns-Bennett High School Principal

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Kingsport City Schools has announced that Dr. Brian Tate has been named the permanent principal of Dobyns-Bennett High School, effective immediately. Dr. Tate has been serving as the Dobyns-Bennett interim principal since November 2022 when former principal Dr. Chris Hampton left the position to assume the role of interim KCS superintendent.

With 32 years of experience in education, Dr. Tate has served as a classroom teacher, team leader, curriculum specialist, adjunct professor, and school administrator. For the past 11 years, he has served as an assistant principal at Dobyns-Bennett. Beyond his tenure at D-B, his experience includes serving as an educator in Hawkins County, at East Tennessee State University, and supporting the work of the Tennessee Department of Education, including as Chairman of the State Textbook Commission. He holds membership in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM).

"Dr. Tate brings a wide range of experience and skills to the principalship of Dobyns-Bennett, and we are excited at what his leadership will bring to the D-B community," said Dr. Chris Hampton, Kingsport City Schools Superintendent. "Dr. Tate has demonstrated great care for and has made great investments in the students and staff at Dobyns-Bennett. His experiences and skills have uniquely qualified him to move Dobyns-Bennett forward. When you combine his skillset with his love of Dobyns-Bennett, he is absolutely the right person at the right time to lead D-B."

Dr. Tate holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education from East Tennessee State University (ETSU), a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from ETSU, an Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, and a Doctorate degree in Mathematics/Mathematics Education from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve the students and staff of Dobyns-Bennett High School,” said Dr. Tate. “I look forward to continuing the commitment to excellence that Dobyns-Bennett High School and Kingsport City Schools exemplifies through its talented students and dedicated staff. I hope to work with our staff to inspire students to pursue their passions and reach their full potential, while working with the administrative team to create a supportive environment that cultivates growth and learning.”

Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a public school district located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice, and an alternative learning program; with a total enrollment of over 7,900 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to Inspire. Cultivate. Impact. 

KCS has been ranked the "#1 Best Place to Teach in Tennessee" by the 2023 NICHE Best Schools Ranking and the City of Kingsport has been voted as the "Nicest Places in America" in the October 2022 Reader's Digest.

For more information visit www.k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, or call the KCS Administrative Support Center at (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (kcsdistrict), Instagram (kcs__district), Twitter (@kcs__district), LinkedIn (kcsdistrict), and check out our YouTube Channel (@kcs__district).