Statement concerning Stewarts Creek Elementary Principal Ginger Tucker from Rutherford County Schools

We are deeply saddened to share that Ginger Tucker, the beloved principal of Stewarts Creek Elementary School, passed away suddenly last night after an unforeseen medical emergency. 

Mrs. Tucker has been the principal of the school since 2012. 

A devoted wife and mother of four daughters, she loved her school children and treated them as her own. She is highly respected among her peers and will be greatly missed. 

Mrs. Tucker has served children for most of her adult life.  

The family gave us permission to begin sharing the information this morning and we spoke to the faculty before school started. 

We are not planning on telling students because we want parents to be able to discuss it first with their children. However, we do have extra grief counselors here today and tomorrow to talk to students if they hear about the situation before you have a chance to speak to them.  Parents are also welcome to pick up their children today if they so choose. 

A veteran educator of 40 years, Tucker spent 26 combined as a classroom teacher at Smyrna Primary School, Stewartsboro Elementary School and Rock Springs Elementary School. She served for three years as the Title I schoolwide coordinator at Smyrna Elementary School before moving to Stewarts Creek as an assistant principal, a role she held for six years prior to being named principal.

The employees of the school were notified of the tragedy this morning by Assistant Superintendent Richard Zago, who worked alongside Mrs. Tucker for many years while he was principal of Stewarts Creek Elementary School and Smyrna Elementary School. 

As you can understand, this unfortunate news has been shocking. We appreciate your understanding, your patience and your sympathy, and ask that you please keep the Tucker family and the Stewarts Creek community in your thoughts and prayers.  

The family will announce funeral arrangements soon.