Congratulations to Mrs. Makenzie Perkins, Collierville Schools Counseling and Threat Assessment Supervisor, for being named a semi-finalist for the Tennessee Department of Education Supervisor of the Year Award!

Mrs. Perkins’ work is rooted in something simple but incredibly powerful: relationships. In Collierville Schools, we know students learn best when they feel safe—and they feel safest when they feel seen. Mrs. Perkins has made that belief a priority across our entire district.

From leading the implementation of Capturing Kids’ Hearts to expanding counseling and social work support, her focus has been on creating school environments where every student feels known and supported. That work has made a real difference—not just in our classrooms, but in the overall culture of our schools.

She’s also helped move our approach to student safety forward in meaningful ways. From launching “Collierville Cares” to encourage students to speak up for one another, to building a proactive, districtwide threat assessment model, Mrs. Perkins has worked to ensure students are supported early and often. Her leadership has helped create systems that are not only responsive, but preventive—keeping students safer and strengthening confidence across our schools.

What stands out most is her heart for students. Whether it’s supporting those experiencing grief, advocating for mental health resources, or making sure every child feels like they belong, her work continues to have an impact far beyond the classroom.

Congratulations, Mrs. Perkins!