Tennessee Charter School Center appoints Elizabeth Fiveash Rush as new Chief Executive Officer

Elizabeth Fiveash Rush was recently appointed CEO of the Tennessee Charter School Center. (Photo from TCSC Website) 

The Tennessee Charter School Center (TCSC) has appointed charter school advocate Elizabeth Fiveash Rush as its new Chief Executive Officer following a national search process.  

According to a TCSC news release emailed to Tennessee Firefly, Rush brings “a wealth of experience in education policy” and “proven track record of leadership” to the role, after having served as interim CEO for the center since June. Rush officially stepped into the permanent role on September 4th following a unanimous vote by the TCSC Board of Trustees.

The announcement noted that Rush is widely recognized “as a steadfast advocate for charter schools.” Since joining TCSC as Chief Policy Officer in 2020, the release said she has played a key role in efforts such as the launch of Tennessee’s first charter school facilities grant, the oversight of the Individualized Education Account (IEA) program, and a successful legislative push to establish the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. She’s also advocated for direct funding allocation for charter schools in the state’s TISA funding formula, according to the announcement.

“I am excited and honored for the opportunity to lead the Tennessee Charter School Center as we work to advance the charter school movement in Tennessee,” Rush said in a public statement. “I will also prioritize connecting with the schools we represent to champion their needs and celebrate the incredible work charter schools are doing across the state.”

The announcement added that prior to joining TCSC, Rush also worked in state government relations for ACT and served as Assistant Commissioner for Policy and Legislation for the Tennessee Department of Education. She received a BA in political science from the University of Alabama and an MPP from Georgetown University.

“Elizabeth was selected after a robust national search conducted in partnership with The K12 Search Group, a firm well-known for their work in the charter sector. The search committee interviewed six highly qualified finalists. Ultimately, Elizabeth’s strong reputation in the state and outstanding track record of results won her the CEO role,” Board Chair Chris Barbic said in a public statement. “I have been impressed with her sense of urgency as the interim, and I couldn't be more excited to work with her as our next CEO as we continue to advance charter school efforts in Tennessee.”