About Us

Located in Board of Education District 6 and KCS Region 2, Northwest Middle School is the only AVID national demonstration school in the state of Tennessee. Northwest Middle School exhibits college and career readiness throughout campus through rigor and high expectations for all students.

Northwest offers several unique options for our students through Enrichment and Related Arts courses, including: Yearbook, Guitar, Photography, Broadcasting, and more. We offer many after school options for students to nuture their interests. Our school culture is ever-growing as a student-focused and student-led community.

Our mission at Northwest is to inspire students to be compassionate humans, critical-thinkers, and motivated citizens who see value in themselves and others.

School Administrators

Principal

Joann Gardner

Mrs. Gardner is a seasoned educator and school leader with 26 years of experience in various educational roles. She began her career in education in the 1999-2000 school year as a math teacher at Whittle Springs Middle School, where she taught until 2008-2009. She has also served as a Classroom Climate Consultant, Instructional Coach and a Master teacher. She began her career in administration, first as Assistant Principal at Carter Middle School from 2014 to 2017. She served as Principal at Whittle Springs Middle from 2017 to 2020,where she led with a focus on academic excellence and community engagement. Since 2020, she has served as Principal at Northwest Middle, continuing to foster a supportive learning environment and drive educational success.

Mrs. Gardner holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Carson Newman University and a master’s degree in Admin and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

6th Grade Principals

Abbey Atchley

Ms. Atchley is an accomplished educator and school leader with 12 years of experience in various educational roles. She began her career in education in 2013 as a teacher at Carter Middle, where she taught until she moved to Carter High School in 2018. She began her career in administration as Assistant Principal at Carter High School in the spring semester of 2022. Since the 2022-2023 school year, she has served as Assistant Principal at Northwest Middle in 6th Grade, strengthening a culture of support that empowers learners and drives academic excellence.

Ms. Atchley holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, both from Carson-Newman University.

EMAIL Ms. ATCHLEY

Nicole Milsap

Mrs. Milsap is a skilled educator and school leader with 20 years of experience in education. She began her career in 2003 as a teacher at Central High School, where she taught until 2025. She has also served as Lead Teacher, Mentor Teacher, Department Head, and PLC Lead at Central High School. She began her career in administration, as Assistant Principal at Northwest Middle School from 2025, as a 6th Grade Assistant Principal, promoting a nurturing educational environment while advancing student achievement.

Mrs. Milsap holds a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science Education and a master’s degree in Education, both from the University of Tennessee; she also earned an Educational Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

EMAIL Mrs. milsap

7th Grade Principals

Ryan Burkhart

Mr. Burkhart is a passionate educator and school leader with 18 years of experience in various educational roles. He began his career in education in Knox County as a teacher at South-Doyle High, where he taught until 2012. He has also served as a teacher at Campbell High in Atlanta, GA 2012-2014. He taught at Carter High in Knox County, from 2014-2023. He began his career in administration, as an assistant principal at Northwest Middle and has served here for three years. Since 2023, he has served as Principal at Northwest Middle in 7th Grade, encouraging a constructive learning climate to enhance educational outcomes.

Mr. Burkhart holds a bachelor’s degree in History/Economics, a master’s degree in Secondary Education both from the University of Tennessee, and an Educational Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

EMAIL MR. BURKHART

Jeff Winterberger

Mr. Winterberger is an esteemed professional and school leader with 19 years of experience in various educational roles. He began his career in education in 2005 as a teacher at St. Joseph School, where he taught until 2006. He began his career in administration as Assistant Principal at Northwest MIddle from 2016 to present, sustaining a student-centered environment focused on growth and academic achievement.

Mr. Winterberger holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from LMU and a master’s degree in education, from the University of Tennessee; an Educational Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision, from Lincoln Memorial University.

EMAIL MR. WINTERBERGER

8th Grade Principals

Avery Padgett

Ms. Padgett is a longtime educator and school leader with 22 years of experience in various educational roles. She began her career in education in 2004 as a Special Education teacher at Gresham Middle School, where she taught until 2017. She has also served as a Special Education teacher at Cedar Bluff Middle School and Halls Middle School. She began her career in administration in 2024, as Assistant Principal at Northwest Middle School, cultivating a positive learning atmosphere to encourage academic growth and success.

Ms. Padgett holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Modified and Comprehensive Special Education both from the University of Tennessee and an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.

email ms. padgett

Alex Walls

Mr. Walls is a skilled educator and school leader with 13 years of experience in various educational roles. He began his career in education in 2013 as a teacher at Cedar Bluff Middle School, where he taught until 2018. He has also served as teacher and coach at West High School from 2018-2022. He began his career in administration as an Assistant Principal at Northwest Middle in 2022, Maintaining a collaborative environment that inspires learning and fosters success.

Mr. Walls holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in Education from Lincoln Memorial University, and an Educational Specialist degree in Administration from Arkansas State University.

email mr. walls

Staff Directory

Our staff directory provides a comprehensive and easily accessible listing of school and district personnel. Searches can be made by name, job title, or facility location.

Search Directory

Calendar

Northwest Middle follows an academic calendar approved by the Board of Education that identifies the first and last day of school; student and teacher in-service days; school holidays; and grading periods.

These calendars are detailed by school year.

See Calendar

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