About Us

Dr. Ashley Speas

Executive Principal

Dr. Speas has been a dedicated educator and leader in the field of education for over two decades. She earned her Doctorate of Education from the University of the Cumberlands in 2020, following an Educational Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University in 2004. Dr. Speas also holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Tusculum College (2002) and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education K-8 from Carson Newman College (2000).

Dr. Speas began her teaching career in 2000 as a 5th/6th Grade Language Arts and Math teacher at White Pine School, followed by serving as a 7th/8th Grade Language Arts teacher at Holston Middle School from 2002 to 2010. Her transition into administration began in 2010 when she became the Assistant Principal at Holston Middle School, a role she held until 2013. From 2013 to 2016, she served as Principal at Holston Middle School before becoming the Principal of West High School in 2016, where she continues to lead with a focus on student achievement, inclusivity, and fostering a positive school culture.

Email Dr. Speas

Chris Caruthers

Academy of Global Commerce and Communication

Principal

Email: thomas.caruthers@knoxschools.org

Chris Caruthers began his teaching career at West High School in 1996, where he taught various social studies courses and coached football. After ten years in the classroom, he was appointed Assistant Principal at Powell High School, serving in that role for three years.

He then moved to Austin-East High School, where he served as Assistant Principal for the next eight years. During his time there, he was honored with the Magnet Administrator of the Year award in 2015.

In 2018, Mr. Caruthers returned to West High School as Athletic Director and Assistant Principal. He currently serves as the principal of the Academy of Global Commerce and Communication. In 2025, he was named East Tennessee Assistant Principal of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Secondary School Principals.

Mr. Caruthers is the proud father of three daughters and has one granddaughter, Evelyn. He enjoys traveling, hiking, computing, music, and spending time with his wife, Tonia.

Jonathan Egert

Academy of Creative and Technical Innovation

Principal 

Email: jonathan.egert@knoxschools.org

Jonathan Egert has been an educator for 16 years. He graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor's in Political science from Purdue University with Minors in Environmental Policy and Organizational Leadership and Supervision. He earned a Masters in the Art of Teaching from Carson Newman University in 2009. To complete his education he earned an Education Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University. 

Mr. Egert has taught almost every class in the Social Studies course offerings in Tennessee. He spent most of his career teaching Advance Placement United States Government. He was a reader for AP US Government and Politics from 2014-2020. In 2017 he was awarded the University of Tennessee’s award for best mentor teacher of the year for his work with University of Tennessee teaching Interns. Mr. Egert began full time administrative work in the Fall of 2021 working as an academy principal since that time. Mr. Egert strives for growth in his students and ensures students have opportunities to be successful in school and in life.

Kelly Forester

Academy of Health Science and Human Services

Principal

Email: kelly.forester@Knoxschools.org

Kelly Forester has been in education since 1995. She attended Texas A&M University where she received her undergraduate degree in English and Sociology and graduated in 1994. She acquired her master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Houston in 2001.

Kelly began her teaching career at Dulles Middle School in Sugar Land, Texas in 1995 where she taught 7^th grade English. She stayed with Fort Bend ISD and moved to the high school level working with an at-risk student program in 1998. She took a position as an administrator at Bellaire High School in 2000 and moved to Knoxville in 2004 where she took a job at Carter High School as an administrator and athletic director. She then took some time to stay home with her young kids and teach adjunct at Pellissippi State and returned to Knox County Schools in 2012. She has been in administration since 2013 and at West High School since 2021.  

Nate Martin

Freshman Academy

Principal

Email: nate.martin@knoxschools.org

Nate Martin attended high school at West where he graduated in 2005.  Mr. Martin attended University of the Cumberlands playing football and later transferring to the University of Tennessee where he graduated in 2011.  Mr. Martin went on the obtain his master's degree from Arkansas State in educational leadership. 

Mr. Martin taught at West High School from 2015-2021 before moving into administration at Clinton High School in Anderson Co. Schools.  Mr. Martin has since returned to West High School where he is currently acting as the Freshman Academy Principal.  

Mr. Martin’s great accomplishment however is marrying his wife, Sarah of ten years.  As well as his beautiful children; Bennett(9), Nora(6), and Deacon(3).  Mr. Martin is a family man through and through and promotes community and family engagement over all things in his practice.  

Paul Romero

Athletic Director

Email: paul.romero@knoxschools.org

Paul Romero is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana prior to moving to Knoxville in 1996. He attended Knoxville Catholic High School, where he graduated in 1998 and attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (c/o 2004) earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Mr. Romero continued his education at Lincoln Memorial University earning his M. Ed. (2009) and Ed. S. (2015).

Mr. Romero joined West High School in 2009 as a Business Teacher in the CTE Department and was named the Athletic Director in January 2023. As well, he is a member of the Knoxville Football Officials Association since 2004 and has served as the Vice President since 2019, working to engage officials' training programs and recruitment.

Mr. Romero has been happily married to his wife Mickey since 2015 and has three beautiful children that can be found at most West High Athletic events.