ADMINISTRATION

Erica Tucker, Principal erica.tucker@hcsk12.net

Sharon Clark, Assistant Principal sharon.clark@hcsk12.net

TaNeezia Cook, Assistant Principal taneezia.cook@hcsk12.net

Veronica Matthews, PLC Coach veronica.matthews@hcsk12.net

 

Erica Tucker, Principal

Erica Tucker proudly serves as the Principal of Sunny Hill Intermediate School, where she leads with heart, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to students, staff, and families. She believes that strong relationships are the foundation of thriving schools and works intentionally to ensure that every member of the school community feels valued, seen, and supported.

Under Principal Tucker’s leadership, Sunny Hill is guided by a shared vision: Everyone can contribute, and everyone can BE GREAT. This belief shapes the school’s culture, instructional focus, and daily work. She fosters a learning environment grounded in high expectations, accountability, and care—where students are challenged to grow academically and socially, and educators are empowered to do their best work.

Known for her dedication to service, resilience in the face of challenges, and deep belief in the potential of every child, Principal Tucker leads with purpose, collaboration, and optimism. She continually pushes Sunny Hill forward while honoring the strengths and traditions of its community.

Above all, she is committed to building a school where excellence is the expectation; growth is celebrated, and positivity shines through every hallway.

It’s always sunny on The Hill.

 

Sharon Clark, Ed.S, Assistant Principal

Sharon Clark began her career in education in 1999 at the Haywood County Family Resource Center (Anderson Campus), where she served for 12 years before becoming a certified teacher. While teaching a variety of subjects at East Side Elementary, she was recognized as a PBS Digital Innovator and All-Star, leading to opportunities such as serving as a keynote speaker for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools’ Library and Media Department, Leader U, and EdmodoCon in California.

Mrs. Clark later served four years as a STEAM teacher, earning the Excellence in STEM Teaching Award from the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network. During this time, she also became the STEM Lead for West Tennessee and Haywood County’s first certified STEM teacher.

She went on to serve two years as an Instructional Facilitator at Sunny Hill Intermediate School and is currently in her third year as Assistant Principal. Mrs. Clark has participated in numerous leadership development programs, including Haywood County Schools’ Aspiring Leaders Program, SCORE, West Teach, TECA, TSIN Rural STEM Collaborative, and Lipscomb University’s Tennessee Transformation Leadership Alliance, where she earned her Education Specialist Degree.

Mrs. Clark remains deeply committed to supporting teachers, inspiring students, and cultivating a positive, collaborative school culture.

 

TaNeezia Cook, Ed.S, Assistant Principal

TaNeezia Cook, a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has been an educator since 2011. She began her career as a high school math teacher in Mississippi and has since taught a wide range of subjects and grade levels, including Kindergarten through 2nd grade Math, 3rd–5th grade Math and Social Studies, 6th-grade Math, 7th–8th-grade Computer Technology, and serving as a Library Media Specialist at both the middle and high school levels.

Mrs. Cook has also served as a Middle School Instructional Coach and a PLC Coach for 1st and 2nd grades at Haywood Elementary, where she supported teachers in strengthening instructional practices and improving student outcomes. Her professional journey across Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee has enriched her perspective and deepened her passion for student-centered learning.

She holds degrees from The University of Alabama (Roll Tide!), Mississippi State University, and The University of West Alabama. After completing the Haywood County Aspiring Leaders Program, she became Assistant Principal of Student Options Academy (ALC), where she focused on innovative pathways to student success.

Mrs. Cook is dedicated to cultivating a school environment where every learner feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

 

Veronica Matthews, PLC Coach

Veronica Matthews is a proud native of Brownsville and a graduate of Haywood County Schools. She earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from the University of Memphis and began her teaching career in 2015 at Jackson Career and Technology Center, where she taught 3rd-grade science and social studies.

In 2016, she joined Haywood Middle School as a 6th-grade math teacher. Throughout her classroom experience—including teaching virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic—Mrs. Matthews developed a strong foundation in instructional design, data-driven decision-making, and student-centered learning. After returning to in-person instruction, she continued teaching 6th-grade math and science while expanding her leadership role within collaborative teams.

She earned a master’s degree in teaching from Freed-Hardeman University in 2021 and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Austin Peay State University in 2023. That same year, she transitioned into her current role as PLC Coach, where she supports teachers in refining

instructional practices, analyzing student data, and implementing high-impact strategies to improve student achievement.

Mrs. Matthews is deeply committed to serving students and families in her community and believes in creating equitable, engaging learning experiences that empower all learners to reach their full potential.

 

Tanika Pickens, School Counselor

Tanika Pickens has served Haywood County Schools since 2010 and currently works as a School Counselor at Sunny Hill Intermediate School. She began her career as an educational assistant before transitioning into the classroom, where she taught math and science to students in grades 4–6.

A graduate of Haywood High School, Mrs. Pickens earned her master’s degree in education from Union University and her master’s degree in School Counseling from Arkansas State University. Her professional focus centers on supporting students’ academic achievement and social-emotional development through strong collaboration with families, teachers, and school staff.

Mrs. Pickens is passionate about fostering a supportive, nurturing environment where every student feels encouraged, confident, and capable of success.