LEAD Public Schools names prominent Metro Nashville Public Schools principal to key leadership role

Dr. Ricki Gibbs (Photo by LEAD Public Schools)

Two years ago, Dr. Ricki Gibbs featured prominently in WPLN’s Peabody award winning series the Promise, in an episode that contrasted two East Nashville public elementary schools that couldn’t be more different, despite their close proximity.

In those days, Dr. Gibbs was the new principal at Warner elementary with big ideas how to turn around the low performing school with a student population that was 90% African American and 92% economically disadvantaged.  The nearby Lockland Elementary school featured in the episode had the exact opposite student demographics and was among Nashville’s highest performing schools.

“My issue is: How do we correct the issue? How do we move forward? If we have a great product that’s creating great results, that we have folks excited about what’s happening at our school…people will come,” said Gibbs in the episode.

Under Gibbs’ leadership, Warner Arts Magnet Elementary transformed from a low performing school to a Reward School in 2022. The success earned Gibbs the title of MNPS Elementary Principal of the Year in 2020 and an offer to take on another challenge in the public charter school realm.

On Monday, LEAD Public Schools announced Dr. Ricki Gibbs will be joining its team as the new head of elementary schools.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join an organization that is dedicated to turning around low-performing schools,” said Gibbs. “This new role will allow me to use my experience to make an even greater impact in Nashville, and I look forward to getting started on this critical work in our community.”

Gibbs began his career as an elementary school teacher in Metro Nashville Public Schools before moving into administration. He has served as both an assistant principal and principal at the district.

LEAD Public Schools opened its first public charter school, LEAD Academy, in 2007.  The organization has grown to serve more than 2400 students at six school across Davidson County.LEAD says Dr. Gibbs will play an important role in its growth.

“Dr. Gibbs brings a wealth of experience in leading elementary schools and we are thrilled to welcome him to the LEAD Public Schools team,” said Dwayne Tucker, CEO at LEAD Public Schools. “This role will assist with planning for the future of LEAD as we work toward our goal of becoming a K-12 network. His experience transforming one of the lowest-performing elementary schools in Nashville will be paramount as we look to continue our mission of improving academic outcomes for some of Nashville’s most vulnerable students.”